VIII
EPPING FOREST
scheme is that the descriptions should be accom-
panied by correct maps of a scale sufficiently
large to facilitate identification of the leading
features. Taking the official map published by
the Conservators, which is of the scale of 3 inches
to the mile, I have divided it into sections of a
convenient size, which, after careful correction,
have been engraved with great care by Mr. Stan-
ford, to whose manager, Mr. Bolton, my acknow-
ledgments are especially due.
To the Itinerary I added an historical chapter,
believing that those who use the Forest would
wish to know the influences which, centuries ago,
made it what it is, and how it came to be rescued
for their enjoyment. For some very useful sug-
gestions bearing on this part of the work I have
to thank Sir Arthur Hobhouse and Mr. Robert
Hunter, than whom no men are better acquainted
with the legal aspects of the question.
I find that the most intelligent interest is taken
in our woodlands by those who there pursue their
studies in one or other of the branches of Natural
History. Many of them are of humble station ;
but as members of Societies, which are very
numerous in London, of botanists, ornithologists,
fungologists, and microscopists, they are enthusiastic
searchers into nature. I have therefore added
some chapters on the different forms of life which
they may expect to find in the course of their
rambles. In this task I have been much assisted
by such able naturalists and experienced observers
as Professor Boulger, Mr. J. E. Harting, Mr.
English, and others.
Mr. Heywood Sumner has embellished the text
with some charming drawings, some of which I
hope will incidentally be of value in helping to
identify the features and landmarks by which I
have sought to point out the way.