Journal of Proceedings.
cxcv
Boletus olivaceus, Schaeff. This last Dr. Cooke had not seen for twelve
years, when he found it at Highgate. Dr. Cooke gave, in his usual happy
fashion, interesting particulars about many of the species on the tables,
and, on the motion of the President, a very hearty vote of thanks was
passed to him for his valuable help and encouragement, and also to the
numerous " conductors " and exhibitors at the meeting.
Afterwards Prof. Boulger reported the progress already made in the
preparation of the new edition of the ' Flora of Essex,' indicating the
localities from which further records were desired, and making a strong
appeal to the members and botanists present for aid in the work.
[Prof. Boulger's remarks will probably form the subject of a paper
in our journal at some future time.]
The meeting then resolved itself into a conversazione for the purpose
of examining the numerous and interesting exhibits.
During the evening Mr. Allnutt gave a short account of the objects
and work of the National Footpath Preservation Society, and he and
the President urged the claims for support of that excellent institution.
Notwithstanding the rain, about eighty members and friends attended
the meeting, and the scientific interest of this annual fixture was fully
maintained.
Saturday, October 30th, 1836. Ordinary Meeting.
The seventy-first Ordinary Meeting was held in the Loughton Public
Hall, at half-past six o'clock, the President in the chair.
The following were elected members :—Mr. C. A. Wright, F.L.S., &c,
and Mrs. E. Berry.
Mr. White presented to the Library the remainder of the corre-
spondence connected with the preparation of the " Report on the East
Anglian Earthquake." He made some remarks on recent earthquakes
as bearing on the phenomena observed during the Essex one.
A lecture was then delivered by Mr. J. G. Goodchild, F.G.S., F.Z.S.,
on " Cats and their Allies." The lecturer treated of the systematic
position of cats ; general characters of the Carnivora and the Felid;e ;
geographical distribution of the cats and their genetic history, and con-
cluded by a short reference to fossil forms. The lecture was illustrated
by a large number of magnificent coloured drawings, made from life.
After the lecture, a long and interesting discussion took place, in
which the President, Mr. Harting, Mr. Bros, Mr. W. White and others took
part. Mr. White brought up a living domestic cat having an abnormal
number of toes, being a member of one of the successive generations of
cats possessing this peculiarity which had been bred by Mr. Poulton.*
Mr. Goodchild replied at length on the various points mentioned by
*See Mr. Poulton's articles on this subject in 'Nature,' vol. xxix., p. 20, and
vol. xxxv., p. 38.