Journal of Proceedings. clxxxi
The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Miller Christy, some
additional specimens of the Bird's-Nest Fungus (Nidularia), referred to
at last meeting.
Mr. J. C. Smith, of Sandford Mill, near Chelmsford, sent for ex-
hibition a number of filberts gathered a few days since in his garden.
Mr. Smith wrote : "It will be seen that they have been attacked by some
creature, and that the kernels have been eaten. This is the work of the
Common Blue Tit, which I have observed at work on them. The birds,
taking advantage of the greenness and softness of the shell on the north
side of the nut, where the shell is thinnest, may frequently be seen
peeking away with their bills, with a tapping noise that is audible
at some distance, until they reach the kernel, of which they eat as much
as they can reach through the holes they have made."
Specimens of sands from the neighbourhood of Chelmsford were
exhibited on behalf of Mr. Challis. And on behalf of Mr. J. C.
Shenstone, some worked stones and a stone " hammerhead" from
Suffolk.
Prof. Meldola having taken the chair, Mr. T. V. Holmes read a paper;
" Notes on Drift Maps, with especial reference to those of Essex " [since
printed in the 'Essex Naturalist,' vol. ii., pp. 21-33]. The paper was
illustrated by a complete set of the Ordnance Maps of Essex, coloured
to show the solid geology of the county, and also a set of Drift Maps of
the greater part of Essex, and the sheets of sections belonging to the
same.
A short discussion ensued in which Prof. Meldola, Mr. White, and
the author took part, and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr.
Holmes for his paper.
In the absence of the author the Secretary read a short paper on " A
new British Alga (Vaucheria sphaerospora) lately found at Maldon,"
by E. M. Holmes, F.L.S. [See 'Essex Naturalist,' vol. i., p. 151.]
Specimens of the plant were exhibited under the microscope; and a
vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Holmes for his communication.
The usual conversazione followed, at which Mr. Kenworthy's
collection of stone implements from the neighbourhood of Bocking
and Braintree was again shown.
Saturday, December 19th, 1885. Ordinary Meeting.
The sixty-fourth Ordinary Meeting was held in the Loughton Public
Hall, at half-past six o'clock, the President in the chair.
Mrs. Wall was elected a member.
Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks voted to the
donors.
The " Report on the East Anglian Earthquake of April 22nd, 1884,"