l6o THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. — REPORTS OF MEETINGS. 



Forest; It would be a good many years before a uniform turf was produced, for 

 ■cattle grazed unevenly. The seedlings in the experimental plots had not done 

 well, perhaps from the great growth of weeds, or from a want of humus in the 

 soil. Mr. Dent spoke in terms of warm commendation of the manner in which 

 the tenant of the farm had carried out Mr. Buxton's instruction. He also gave 

 some interesting details about the fauna of the new ground. A litter of fox cubs 

 had been found, and there was reason to hope that badgers might come over 

 from Epping. There had been an extraordinary number of partridges at 

 Tambourn and Haiuault ; linnets were abundant, and the goldfinch had become 

 a regular breeder in the district — indeed, he knew of five nests this season within 

 half a mile of his house. He had seen a pair of kestrels and a pair of sparrow- 

 hawks, and nightingales were plentiful. 



The President, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Dent for his services that 

 afternoon, and for the paper he had read, discussed some of the points raised by 

 this valuable series of experiments. He thought that Mr. Dent's remaiks should 

 .be published in the Essex Naturalist, as they would prove of value in future 

 years as a record of the reclamation. 



Attempted Partition of the County —He also alluded to the attempt 

 which had been made to sever part of Essex from them, and to include the 

 parishes in Hertfordshire. The Club, in common with the Essex Archaeological 

 Society and other bodies, had made a vigorous protest, and had written to the 

 local members of Parliament on the subject. He was glad to say that the oppo- 

 sition had proved successful, and the order of the Local Government Board had 

 not been confirmed by Parliament. 



Professor Meldola. F.R.S., cordially seconded the vote of thanks, and fully 

 supported the idea that Mr. Dent's notes should be published. He suggested 

 that supplements might afterwards be issued, recording tie progress of the 

 experiments from year to year. 



After the meeting Mr. Dent gave some further demonstrations in the field, 

 and the members walked down to the station for the return trains. 



ANNUAL FUNGUS FORAY. 

 Saturday, October i 4 t h , 1905. 



Tins meeting was held at the " King's Oak " Hotel, High Beach, Epping 

 Eorest, under the arrangements common to the Foray for many years past. A 

 room was reserved at the Inn, wherein the specimens collected were determined 

 and classified. 



The first collecting party started from Chingford Station in the morning at 

 11.30. Great regret was expressed at the absence ot Dr. Cooke, wdio was unable 

 to undertake the fatigue of a long day in the Forest. 



Mr. George Massee, F.L.S. {President of the British Mycotogical Society), 

 kindly undei took to act as principal Botanical Conductor, and we were favoured 

 with the company of a considerable number of well-known Botanists, including 

 Mr. A. Lister, F.R.S., ami Miss Lister, Dr. D. H. Scott, F.R.S., Secretary to 

 the Li/mean Society, Mr. E. M. Holmes, F L.S., Professor Silvanus I hompson, 

 F.K.S., Mr. YV. M. Webb, F.L.S. , and many others. 



The afternoon party assembled at Theydon Bois, and rambled through the 

 woods to High Beach, collecting bv the way. 



