204 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 



fifty, and devoted the remainder of his life to geological research, and corre- 

 sponded with Owen, Lyell, and other celebrated men. He published several 

 important memoirs on Essex Geology, a list of which will be found in the paper 

 referred to above. The main portions of his collections were bequeathed to Owen, 

 and they are now in the British Museum, and smaller collections were presented 

 to the Chelmsford Museum, as noted below. His tomb in the churchyard at St- 

 AUbright's, Stanway, was pointed out a few hundred yards farther on. 



Just past the Stanway " Swan " is a turning to the left that leads to Copford 

 Plains, and in this leafy lane the party alighted and set about botanising. 



It is said that the rare Roman Nettle {Urtica pilulifera) has been recorded as 

 growing at Copford, but it has not been found for many years, and in spite of a 

 rigorous search, no specimens could be found on this occasion. On the leaves 

 of the fragrant Ground Ivy (^Nepeta glechoma) were found an abundance of the 

 great hairy green galls, produced by the little Cynip, Aulax glechomce. At the 

 close of the perambulation of this most charming spot, Mr. J. C. Shenstone 

 exhibited some of the typical plants of the district, and remarked upon them, 

 including some of the species of Ste/laria, the horehound (^Baliotd)^ and the \'^eronicas 

 (Speedwells), a species of which (F. beccahiinga)^ it was pointed out, is the true 

 forget-me-not, though the legend has somehow attached itself in England to the 

 Myosotis (Scorpion-grass), and with it the name. 



A short drive, and the next halting-place was quickly reached — near Birch 

 Church, where Dr. Laver conducted the party to a prehistoric relic, known on the 

 maps as Birch Castle, standing at the S.E. of the church, in the charming old- 

 world village. A circuit of earthworks is all that remains, and there is no 

 probability that any but a wooden edifice ever stood as the " castle " within. 

 Morant says the earthworks are connected with those at Lexden Heath and the 

 Ramparts, but Dr. Laver said he was not able to trace the connection. He stated 

 that Birch "Castle" was of uncertain age, but much earlier than the Norman 

 Period. Ralph de Gernon, founder of Leighs Priory, fortified the castle against 

 Henry III., but the structure of the earthwork showed that it was made long 

 before Gemon's time. It was probably the remains of a small Roman camp, 

 which had been utilised in later times by Gernon. Roman pottery had been 

 found on the site. 



Mr. Douglass Round joined the party at this point, and accompanied them 

 across the fields to Birch Hall, where they were met by Mr. Round, M.P., who 

 hospitably spread tea for the party in his pleasant grounds, the family being away 

 from home, and the hall temporarily closed. The very ancient edifice, chiefly 

 erected by the Tendring and Goldring families, was rebuilt in 1727-8 by a Mr. 

 James Round, and afterwards in 1845 by Mr. C. G. Round ; its situation is ex- 

 cellent, and the grounds are watered by a rivulet, which expands into a small 

 lake. 



The assemblage was further augmented by a contingent of the Colchester 

 University Extension students, and other interested visitors joined the meeting 

 (the 148th Ordinary Meeting), which, after tea, was held beneath the shadow of the 

 lime trees,' Prof. Meldola in the chair. 



The following were elected members : Mr. Horace T. Brown, F.R.S., F.G.S., 

 Mr. Samuel Johnson, JNI.l.M.E., and Miss A. Johnson. 



Dr. Laver exhibited on behalf of .Mr. L. F. Manley, portions of the lower jaw 



' Oil the twigs of these trees, more especially those springing from the boles, I found 

 .-ibunilance of the galls of the little Dipteron, Sciara tiiicola, H. Loew. — W. Coi.E. 



