Journal of Proceedings. xli
decidedly in favour of the theory that the Dene-holes were constructed as
safe storages, and perhaps as safe refuges upon occasions. A strong
desire was expressed that the Club should take the subject systematically
in hand, in the hope of obtaining evidence which would enable us more
easily to decide upon the nature and use of the Essex and Kent Dene-
holes, their period in the slow development of human civilisation, and to
realise in some faint degree the life and habits of the men who made
them. As Mr. Walker said, such studies can scarcely fail to humanise
and instruct, " telling us of human lives and interests in that unknown
time, precious then as now, precarious though the tenure of life might
be. They will perchance deepen our sense of the hardiness, endurance,
and privation which have contributed in their measure to the life of our
England of to-day."
Saturday, July 22nd, 1882.—Field Meeting.
The Club, under the guidance of the President and Secretaries,
assembled at Buckhurst Hill Station at 3 o'clock, and after the micro-
scopes and specimens, with which some of the members were loaded, had
been deposited in a carriage for conveyance to Chigwell, the company
(about forty in number) started for a charming country ramble to the
Rev. W. Linton Wilson's residence, "Oakhurst," he having most
hospitably invited the Club to visit him at Chigwell. The scientific
director of the meeting was Mr. W. Saville Kent, F.L.S., one of our honorary
members ; and we had with us also Dr. Cooke, Mr. W. W. Beeves, F.R.M.S.,
Mr. Arthur Lister, F.L.S., Mr. Oxley, F.R.M.S., Mr. Letchford, F.R.M.S.,
Mr. Thomas, F.R.M.S., and several other practised microscopists and
botanists. The guides led the way through the pretty isolated portion of
Epping Forest, known as "Lords" or "Lodge" Bushes, and so into a
lane (commonly, but, we understand from Mr. D'Oyley, erroneously,
called "Squirrel's Lane") refreshingly rough, untrimmed, and unim-
proved, with tangled grass and sedge, amid which many wild flowers
nestled and hid their modest charms. Betony and Woundworts, Self-
heal (Prunella), Skull-cap, Veronica, plenty of Trefoils, Clovers, and
Vetches, flourished everywhere, whilst with more vigorous growth the
giant Umbelliferae thrust themselves into notice, the branching heads of
small white flowers contrasting well with the dark green hedgerows of
maple, nut, and ash, in which the Black and Bed Bryony, Convolvulus
and Bed-straws lovingly twined and blossomed. Here were noticed Vicia
hirsuta, and the delicate little Vetch, Vicia tetrasperma, many of the pods
of which contained only three seeds, provokingly defiant of its learned
name. Also many splendid plants of the ever-welcome St. John's-Wort
(Hypericum perforatum), the slender woodland beauty (H. pulchrum)
having been already noticed in Lord's Bushes; and to crown the whole,
tall plants of Meadow-sweet waved masses of yellowish white flowers