xviii Journal of Proceedings.
although the older ones were generally large, and the more recent examples
small.
A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the author for his valuable
paper and exhibits, and the usual conversazione followed.
Saturday, May 6th, 1882.
On the afternoon of this day Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen
visited Epping Forest in state, and at the appointed place on the brow of
High Beach Hill declared the Forest free and open for ever. The Presi-
dent and Secretary were invited by the Corporation to the ceremony to
represent the Essex Field Club.
Saturday, May 13th, 1882.—Lecture at the British Museum.
Dr. Henry Woodward, F.E.S., F.G.S. (Keeper of Geology), some little
time ago promised to give a special lecture on "The Ancient Fauna of
Essex" to the Club, at the British Museum (Natural History), South
Kensington. Originally it was fixed for May 6th, but Her Majesty, having
selected that date for the formal dedication of Epping Forest to the
public, Dr. Woodward consented to postpone his lecture for a week, and
it was accordingly delivered at 3.30 o'clock on this day in the Private
Lecture Theatre. The substance of the lecture is embodied in Dr. Wood-
ward's paper in the ' Transactions' published herewith, and a report
was given in the ' Essex Times ' for May 19th, 1882, from the excellent
shorthand notes of our member, Mr. George T. Reid. The lecture was
illustrated by a copious exhibition of specimens, maps, and diagrams,
many of the latter having been specially prepared for the occasion by a
member of Dr. Woodward's family, and the comfort of the members and
visitors was attended to in every way by the officials of the Museum.
Professor Morris said there had been some discussion as to the real age
of the beds containing these remains of Mammalia. At one time it was
thought that they were of two distinct ages—the Crayford and the Grays
beds of one age, and the Ilford beds of another age, and that they repre-
sented to some extent an interglacial period, but from considerations
which he named it appeared that these beds containing the remains of
Mammalia were properly posterior to the glacial period. At least that
was his own opinion on the subject. After some further remarks on the
geology of the district, Professor Morris concluded by moving a vote of
thanks to Dr. Woodward, and expressing his belief that they must
all go away delighted with the knowledge they had obtained of the
fauna of the Thames Valley, so interesting to the members of the Essex
Field Club.