time comprise a body of fact and inference, useful to the local and scientific
student, as well as interesting to the ordinary reader.
The PUBLICATIONS of the Club have gained a somewhat high position. Since
the formation of the Club in 1880, about two thousand five hundred closely printed
pages of matter, relating more or less intimately to the county, and frequently of an
original and important character, have been issued, illustrated with plates, maps, and
numerous other engravings. The first series, of five volumes, of " Transactions "
and " Proceedings " now nearly completed, together with the " Report on the
East Anglian Earthquake" (the first book of the kind ever published in Eng-
land), and the volumes of the " Essex Naturalist," form a record of work
accomplished during the life of the Club, upon which its members may justly be
congratulated, and work which has added very considerably to the advancement
of natural knowledge in Essex. One of the leading scientific periodicals
(" Nature ") in a notice of the ' Essex Naturalist," remarked as follows :—
" It is scarcely surprising that residents of the County of Essex should appreciate
the labours of the Society, inasmuch as they are wholly devoted to the county,
and are of interest to persons who know little of Essex. In this respect—namely
the thorough examination of the district lying at their doors—the members of
the Essex Field Club set an example that similar societies elsewhere would do
well to follow. * * * There are few associations in the United Kingdom which
perform so adequately and thoroughly the proper functions of a local Field Club
or Naturalists' Society as the Essex Field Club."
Commencing in January, 1887, the various papers read before the Club are
now published as an Illustrated Periodical, entitled " The Essex Naturalist :
being the Journal of the Essex Field Club," and the fourth volume is now
in progress.
Although bearing a county title, the Club offers exceptional advantages to
metropolitan residents. Many parts of Essex are but little known, although of
the greatest interest to the naturalist, geologist, and antiquary. The organisa-
tion of the Club in connection with the Field Meetings has enabled many to be-
come acquainted with this portion of the Eastern Counties, which so well repays
the attention of the intelligent visitor.
The Club already possesses a good nucleus of a valuable Library, which has
been obtained by donations, exchanges, and purchase. The Library is designed
primarily to accumulate all books, pamphlets, maps, prints, &c., relating to or in
any way illustrating the History, Topography, Archaeology, Geology, Botany,
Natural History, &c, &c, of the County of Essex ; and secondly as a collec-
tion of standard works on various branches of Natural History, Geology, Archae-
ology, &c, for reference and study.
An endeavour is now being made for the establishment of a Local Museum
in Essex, to illustrate, in the fullest and most scientific manner possible, the
natural productions and antiquities of the County, and to form a home for County
collections and specimens, where they may be consulted by all interested in Essex.
The SUBSCRIPTION to the Club is at present half-a-guinea per annum, payable
upon election and afterwards on the 1st January in each year ; and new members
pay an entrance-fee of 10s. 6d. upon joining. But it must be noted that the rate
of subscription is now under consideration, and may be considerably altered in a
short time.
All communications respecting membership, papers, and notes for the " Essex
Naturalist " and the general work of the Club, should be sent to Mr. W. Cole,
Hon Sec, 7, Knighton Villas, Buckhurst Hill ; all letters respecting subscrip-
tions, &C, to the Treasurer, Mr. Alfred Lockyer, Mornington Lodge, Wan-
stead, Essex ; and all enquiries respecting the library, donations of books, &c, to
the Librarian, Mr. A. P. Wire, at the Head-quarters, 8, Knighton Villas, Buck-
hurst Hill.