is shown standing on four legs and bearing a rhinoceros-
type horn on its nose. In fact, the Iguanodon stood on its
hindlegs, which were considerably larger than the forelegs,
and the horn was a kind of spiky thumb. (See drawings on
centre pages). The Dicynodent is also inaccurately modelled,
with a shell on its back, also the giant swimming lizard,
Mosasaurus and the shark-like Ichthyosaurus differ from how
present-day scientists visualise them. In spite of the
unintentional discrepancies, these monsters were an admirable
achievement at a time when Palaeontological discovery was in
its infancy.
Reluctantly, the party left the monsters to their
dripping surroundings, and proceeded to the Horniman Museum
for a chance to dry out before sampling the varied delights
of the exhibits. Being Geologists, it was to this section
that the party members were attracted, but the exhibits
were, in fact, rather disappointing, as Geology Group members
have themselves collected specimens as good or better than
many displayed. However, the remainder of the Natural
History section was well represented, including a complete
range of anthropoid fossil and modern human skulls. This
is essentially a museum of people, the way they live and
their customs, and is worthy of a longer visit. There is
also an unusual tea-room with numerous cases of fascinating
bygones to gaze upon whilst partaking of a refreshing cuppa.
It was a pity so few members attended this meeting, no
doubt the weather was responsible, but the few who braved
the rain felt it well worth the effort.
Florence Caldwell
December 5th. Symposium of Essex Mammal Distribution.
(Mammal Group).
A Symposium of Essex Mammal Distribution was held at
the Suntrap Field Centre, High Beech, on December 5th at
3.0 p.m. The meeting was introduced by the Group Chairman,
Mr. D.R. Scott, who related the work of Dr. Henry Laver at
the end of the last century to our present-day knowledge of
Essex mammals. It was noted that three species had been
lost, namely, pine marten, polecat and roe deer, and new
Page 19