Journal of Procccd'uujs. xvii 



Britons against the Romans, The party was soon encamped within 

 the ramparts of their sylvan fortress, and Mr. Cowper briefly pointed 

 out and explained the leading features and probable intention of this 

 interesting monument of an ancient race. But no lingering could be 

 allowed at the spot, interesting as it is to the lover of history and 

 legend, and the members left it with less regret, inasmuch as they 

 were promised a Field Meeting for the special purpose of examining 

 the Forest earthworks. So " Forward ! " was the word of command : 

 and Little and Great Monk's Woods were soon reached. Perhaps no 

 more charming spots than these could be chosen by anyone desiring 

 to see Epping Forest at its best. Monk's Woods are hidden in the 

 midst of the Forest, silent and secluded. The ground surface possesses 

 considerable natural advantages. It is modestly undulating, and in 

 places much broken where some tiny rivulets traverse it, running 

 in picturesque curves through the shady thickets. The trees, un- 

 scathed by "lopper" or "topper," at least in recent times, are 

 very types of sylvan vigour, and spread around their graceful 

 boughs with all the wild freedom of Nature. The stroller may 

 here find bits of woodland beauty recalling New Forest itself— 

 giant Beeches guarding vistas of speckled light and shade, with 

 foregrounds of richly branched and tangled Brambles, graceful 

 Bracken ferns, verdant mossed patches, and waving grass and 

 rush. It is a true piece of natural woodland, teeming with objects 

 of wonder and delight for all who have eyes to see, aye, and ears to 

 hear, for the spot abounds in birds and curious forest animals. Many 

 members of the party were soon busy with the flowers and insects, 

 mosses and ferns, which inhabit this delightful spot. There was the 

 Red Rattle {Pedicular is sylvatica), a white variety of which occurred 

 not uncommonly ; the pretty and changeable Milk-wort (Polygalia) in 

 all shades of colour— white, blue, and pink. The Bracken ferns were 

 just unfolding their fronds, and gave fair promise of coming luxu- 

 riance. The Needle- whin {Genista anglica), one of the prettiest of 

 woodland plants, nestled amongst the Ling in the openings, where the 

 little white flowers of the Heath Galium {G.saxatile) contrasted well 

 with the bright yellow blossoms of two species of Potentilla {tormentilla 

 etreptans); whilst in "shadiest covert^ hid," the plainer Cow-wheat 

 {Melampyrum) bordered the woodland paths. In the streams the 

 bright blue blossoms of the Brook-lime were to be found, and by the 

 brook-side the delicate Yellow Pim^erneW {Lysimachia nemorum), the 

 variety flexHosa of the Hairy Bitter Cress {Cardamine hirsiita) and two 

 or three species of Viola. The entomologists were not very fortunate ; 

 the weather was possibly not favourable for delicate moths— they 

 had betaken themselves to the welcome shelter of the leafy boughs and 

 sedge. However, several species were noticed— the Beech Hook-tip 

 moth {Drcpana unguicula), and the pretty Geometrid Ephyni trilinearia, 



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