THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 255 



may spread themselves or even become dominant in certain localities. This last 

 effect may be seen in Epping Forest in the great increase of birch trees in late 

 years. 



-Mr. W. Cole gave a demonstration of the two kinds of oak-galls, which were 

 to be observed so plentifully on the trees. One was the well-known " oak-apple " 

 (Teras terminal's), the sexual generation of the root-gall Biorhiza aplera, found 

 in the winter on the rootlets of the oak. The other was the currant-gall on the 

 catkins (Sp<ithegaster baccara <//), the sexual gall of the oak-spangle found on the 

 under side of the leaves from July to September. Mr. Cole gave a sketch of the 

 life-histories of these, and the extraordinary dimorphism or " alternation ot 

 generations," which are so well illustrated by the two dual species of Cynipidae 

 under consideration, (The reader is referred to Mr. Lewis' paper in volumes 

 XII. and XIII. ot the Essex Naturalist.) 



Tea was taken in a tent, erected in Monk Wood by the kind permission of 

 Mr. McKenzie, the Superintendent of the Forest, and afterwards the 246th 

 Ordinary Meeting was held under the chairmanship of the President. 



New Members. — Mr. F. Mc Arthur Moir {Indian Forest Service), Deoban, 

 Lexden Road, Colchester, and Mr. George Cross, Lee Wick, St. Osyth, were 

 elected members. 



Mr. Skan then continued his remarks on certain curious structures in plants 

 having an cecological bearing. On the motion of the President a cordial vote of 

 thanks was passed to him for his services at the meeting. 



After some formal business and the announcement of the meeting of the 

 Photographic Survey of the Club at Colchester on June 23rd, the members 

 strolled through the woods to Loughton. 



INSPECTION OF HAINHAULT FOREST. 



Saturday, June c/th, 1906. 



This meeting took place under very favourable conditions. The forest was 

 entered by the road from Hainhault station. At the gate of the woods the party 

 was met by Mr. Francis Dent, who very kindly acted as Conductor during the 

 afternoon. Great regret was expressed at the absence of Mr. E. N. Buxton, who 

 was unavoidably summoned to town for business connected with the Education 

 Committee. Much interesting information as to the work being carried out was 

 given by Head-keeper Jones, who takes much care of the developing plantations. 



Demonstrations were given in various parts of the recovered lands by Mr. 

 Dent, and also by Mr. T. S. Dymond, F.I.C., F.C.S., who had advised Mr. 

 Buxton during the operations of laying down the land for grass, etc. 



Everyone was pleased to notice the marked improvement since the visit last 

 year, but. several members were somewhat surprised at finding cattle roaming over 

 all the lands, plantations as well as the open. It is obvious that a natural wood- 

 land can never grow while this system obtains. Our member, Mr. McArthur 

 Moir, late of the Imperial Indian Forest Service, and Mr. W. Cole, from his 

 knowledge of what has happened in Epping Forest, were very emphatic in their 

 condemnation of the policy apparently being pursued in this legard. 



Tea was taken in a tent erected on Cabin Hill, by kind permission of the 

 London County Council. Afterwards an Ordinary Meeting (the 247th) was 

 held, Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S., President, in the chair. 



