Journal of Proceedings. xliii
stocks and quaint old police cells forming objects of observation. The
church, which is dedicated to St. Peter, was also visited. It is situated
between the. railway station and the street, from which it is screened
by a row of lime trees. The nave and chancel are of the perpendicular
decorated period. There is also a north aisle, and a square embattled
tower of three storeys, containing five bells; the windows are rich in
decorated tracery, and the church contains a good deal of early
English work. It was partially "restored" in 1851, a process which
generally leaves a church uninteresting ; but in Roydon Church are
some fine brasses (one about 1469), and the font is very ancient and
curious. The party was courteously shown over the building by the
churchwardens, in the absence of the vicar, the Rev. A. Pyne, who was
unavoidably away from home.
The return journey was commenced at about seven, and by way
of Parndon, Epping Street, and Loughton, Buckhurst Hill was reached
shortly after ten o'clock, a most enjoyable day having been spent.
Saturday, September 29th, 1883. Annual Cryptogamic and Botanical
Meeting.
As the last batch of visitors left the "Roebuck Inn" at the termina-
tion of the Fourth Annual Cryptogamic Meeting, it was acknowledged
with a feeling of gratification that the energy and perseverance of our
members and friends had triumphed over the most adverse meteorological
conditions, and that in spite of the almost incessant downpour of rain
"from noon 'till dewy eve," the Club had again scored a success. In
order to afford more space for the display of specimens the large ball-
room at the "Roebuck Inn" had been secured, and on Friday evening
many members of the Club attended to assist the Secretaries in pre-
paring the exhibits, &c., for the morrow's meeting. Mr. David Houston,
F.L.S., kindly lent a long series of large wall diagrams, illustrating the
structure of Cryptogamic plants, with which to appropriately decorate
the walls, and four tables, extending nearly the length of the large
room, were devoted to botanical and other specimens.*
One of the principal exhibitors was our President, Professor Boulger,
who showed an extensive collection of Cryptogams : Fresh-water Algae,
Jungermannieae, Rhizocarpeae, including the genera Marrilsa, Salvinia
and Azolla, and a collection of British Ferns, and one of British Orchideae.
Dr. Hogg sent specimens of the so-called "Ginger-beer Plant," which
somewhat resembles large irregular grains of boiled sago. They were
shown to several of the leading botanists and fungologists present,
but very little appears to be known about it. Dr. Cooke stated that
he had frequently examined specimens sent him to be named, but he
* It is only an act of justice to acknowledge the great courtesy of our excellent
landlord, Mr. Smith, who gave every aid in his power to make the meeting a
success.—Ed.