I56 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. REPORTS OF MEETINGS. 



The Rector replied in a very humorous speech, and alluded with much 

 feeling to the friendships which had begun at the first field-meeting, and which 

 had been maintained for a quarter of a century. 



The company left bv the 5.42 train from Audley End, and the ease with which 

 the several journeys homewards were made was a demonstration of the 

 possibilities of holding enjoyable meetings on Bank Holidays. 



[It came as a great shock to all who were present, and indeed to all old 

 members of the Club, to hear of Mr. Barnes' death shortly afterwards. 



He was evidently very weak at the meeting, but with his usual spirit and good 

 nature exerted himself to welcome the Club, and the visit to the Rectory will 

 long remain a pleasant, if sad, remembrance with many of us.) 



SPRING RAMBLE IN EPPING FOREST, AND 239th 



ORDINARY MEETING. 



Saturday, June yd, 1905. 



On this afternoon one of the usual spring rambles took place in Epping 

 Forest. The party assembled at Theydon Bois Station at 3.30 p.m. The route- 

 was over Piercing Hill to the spot formerly known as Blackheath. Here is a 

 plantation, principally of Larch, Scotch-pine, and Spanish chestnut, planted more 

 than 20 years ago by the late Major McKenzie, the then Superintendent of the 

 Forest. Mr. S. A. Skane (assistant in the Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens, 

 Kew), kindly acted as Botanical Conductor, and made some remarks on the 

 trees here. Prof. Primrose McConnell also spoke on the growth of these trees,, 

 and on the prospects of Forestry in Essex. The ramble was then continued 

 through Epping Thicks, and so on to Ambresbury Banks, botanical observation 

 occupving attention, and Mr. Skan gave many lecturettes on the plants gathered.. 

 Near Ambresbury Banks another detachment of members coming from Chingford 

 joined the party. 



Tea was taken at the " Wake Arms," and afterwards an Ordinary Meeting 

 (the 239th) was held, Prof. R. Meldola, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. 



Mr. George Chambers, 29, Buxton Road, Chingford, was elected a member.. 



The Chairman congratulated the members on the very pleasant afternoon's 

 ramble, and at his request Mr. Skan gave an interesting and discursive address, 

 touching on many botanical problems suggested by the plants gathered. He had 

 had brought from K.ew some specimens presenting special features, and explained 

 their peculiarities. 



Prof. Meldola, during some remarks, exhibited two moths taken that afternoon, 

 Euclidia mi and Venilia maculata. 



The homeward ramble was through Monk's Woods to Loughton, Mr. 

 Skan's botanical expositions being continued on the way. The weather was 

 delightful, and rendered the simple forest walk very enjoyable. 

 Whitsun Monday, Junk 12th, 1905. 



An excellent meeting had been planned for this day — to meet at Chelmsford,, 

 explore the Danbury district, and to visit Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe at Little Baddow. 

 After the issue of the circular the weather broke and continued exceedingly 

 stormy and unsettled, right up to the day of meeting, Very few names having 

 been sent in, at the last moment the President and Secretaries decided with, 

 great reluctance to abandon the meeting. 



