XX Journal of Proceedings. 



common, with the untidy-looking Lychnis flos-ciiculi, well named the 

 "Ragged Robin" by village urchins. Then on through the forest 

 towards Ambresbury Banks, noticing the heaps of Bagshot gravel by 

 the roadside, which Mr. Walker explained at one time covered the 

 whole country, and had since been denuded away, with the exception 

 of the outlying patches on the Essex heights, &c. Some little time 

 was spent in examining the Camp, which is supposed to have been the 

 station of the Roman General, Suetonius, when he gained his great 

 victory over the unfortunate Queen of the Iceni. The Britons, headed 

 by Boadicea, perhaps assembled at the Camp at Loughton (visited by 

 the Club on June 5th), w^ere so confident of success that we read they 

 brought their wives and families to view the conflict and enjoy their 

 triumph ; and so certain were they of victory that they blocked up the 

 rear of the army with their carriages and waggons. When defeat 

 came these impeded their flight, and a dreadful slaughter ensued ; men 

 and women without distinction were slain by the incensed Romans, 

 to the number, it is said, of 80,000 in battle and pursuit. At least, so 

 the story runs in county history and legend. 



From this spot the members strolled gently on towards Epping, 

 taking the old hunting glade through the Forest, w^hich has been re- 

 opened by the Corporation to form part of their " Green Ride" from 

 Forest Gate to Thorn-wood Common. This part of the Forest is most 

 beautiful, and the fine unlopped beeches were much admired. Many 

 plants were noticed : The Sanicle [Sanicula Euvopcea) and the Pig-nut 

 {Buninm flexuosum) , the edible tubers of which v/ere tasted with much 

 satisfaction. The lovely Lotus covnicidatus was in profusion in many 

 parts, and the Honeysuckle and many species of Rosa were found 

 wasting their sweetness on the desert air. The entomologists noticed, 

 amongst the Lepidoptera, Halias prasinana, Herminea tarsipennalis, and 

 iiemoralis, and a very dark female specimen of Euholia palmnbaria ; 

 many species oi Coleoptcra, Tvichoptcra, Hymcnoptera, and Diptcra were 

 also obtained. Mr. W. G. Smith, the well-known Secretary of the 

 Forest Fund, caught sight of a Deer in one of the glades near 

 Ambresbury. 



At the Cock Inn, Epping, a very excellent tea was furnished by Mr. 

 Tweed, the comfort of the party being studied in every way. The 

 Rev. W. Linton Wilson, M.A., took the chair, in the temporary absence 

 of the President, and after welcoming the members of the New Cross 

 Society, called upon — 



Mr. Walker, who said he h^ad no intention of inflicting a long speech 

 upon them ; he always endeavoured in such cases to lean to the side 

 of mercy ! They might congratulate themselves on having had a most 

 delightful forest ramble, in company with their good friends from New 

 Cross. It w-as also a great source of satisfaction to know that they 

 had taken away the reproach from the county, for it was a reproach 



