14'*^ THE KSSEX riEID CLUll. 



:ind the work of the men und the superintendents was by no means light, as quite 

 eighty persons descended the pits and were conducted through the workings. 

 Our President, Mr. Chancellor, was one of the visitors, and Professor Blake, 

 Vice-President of the Geologists' Association, was present, but did not descend. 

 The day being exceedingly^ fine, it was indeed pleasant to ramble about the 

 wood, to eat one's al fresco lunch among the hollows made by the caved-in dene- 

 holes, and to watch the birds and butterflies which here abound. The difference 

 of temperature above and below was very evident on coming up from the pits. 

 The Rev. Linton Wilson noted as much as twenty-three degrees difference in the 

 readings of his thermometer above and below. 



Many of those who descended for the first time e.vpressed surprise at the 

 extent of the workings and the size of the pit?. A general desire was expressed 

 that further explorations should be undertaken by the ("lub, and more of the old 

 closed pits examined. But it would be costly work, as it would be necessary to 

 unstop from above one or more shafts in order to allow of further 5-ubterranean 

 galleries being made. It would not be safe to extend the workings be3'-ond their 

 present range, unless further means of descent and ascent were provided. 



About seven, as the evening shadows lengthened, the pits were searched and 

 abandoned, the last light put out, and the last man emerged from the shaft. In 

 a few moments more the shears were lowered to the ground, the big rope un- 

 shipped from the pulley and crab, the platform alone remaining for later removal. 

 A sound as of "largesse" was heard among the men. The last of the compan)', 

 with the directors, wended their way by the old British trackway to the big barn 

 with its stone-cut crest of cockatrice and ducal coronet, and quaffed the clear icy 

 water of the deep chalk well, and then, well pleased with the day's work, a start 

 was made back to Grays to the Oueen's Hotel, where tea and other welcome 

 refreshments were eagerly partaken ot before the return home. 



Meeting at Bovt.es CorrKT, South VVeaiji. WaklI'V, and Bkkntwooh. 



Saturda}', August ic)th, 1893. 



By the courtesy of Mr. J. F. Lescher, J. P., over forty members of the Club 

 visited Boyles Court, near Brentwood, on this day, for the purpose of inspecting 

 tlie interesting and valuable Hoy Collection of British Birds. The part)' — which 

 included several ladies — met at Harold Wood Railway Station. The directors 

 were Mr. J. E. Harting, F.L.S., Mr, Miller Christy, F.L.S., and Mr. AValter 

 Crouch, The walk to Bo3-les Court is about two miles. It was a delightful 

 ramble, and the party were able to saunter along in comparative coolness, and 

 admire the charming scenery through which they passed. Over Tjder's Common 

 they wended their way, a brief halt being made to inspect the famed mineral 

 spring which was visited by the Clidj three years ago {inde report in The Essex 

 Naturalist for 1890, vol. iv. p. 194, where a full account of the well is 

 given). Growing abundantly in the well was a species of Chara. It was a 

 matter of remark that but few butterflies could \)i seen, the only one worth men- 

 tioning was the "Small Copper Butterfly" QPolyoinmalus plihras)^ which we wel- 

 comed as becoming commoner in Essex. A few years ago it was scarce. Leaving 

 the sp.ing, the party were taken through the fields, and arrived at their destination 

 al about 3.30. 



