Journal of Proeeedim/s. Ixxxv 



the Forest hereafter. And that a Petition be presented to the Conser- 

 vators to the above effect, and further praying that they will exert all 

 their influence to oppose any schemes which would tend to injure the 

 forestal character of the lands under tli(>ir charge, or to destroy or disturb 

 the Feres Nature inhabiting the same." 



He thought that this resolution expressed with exactness their position 

 as a Natural History Society, with relation to this really serious question, 

 and he hoped that the members generally would give the matter of the 

 preservation of the essential natural features of the Forest their earnest 

 attention, and state their wishes with regard to the drawing up of the 

 Petition. 



The Honorary Secretary made some remarks upon the subject. The 

 Society had been accused of selfish motives, and of a desire to keep the 

 Forest as " a happy hunting ground " for the botanist and entomologist. 

 He thought that the charge was very unfair. Their desire was but to see 

 the Epping Forest Act carried out in its true spirit. It was generally 

 agreed that the great value of the district consisted in the fact that it was 

 a piece of primeval woodland, with the exception of New Forest, almost 

 the last remnant of the vast forests which once covered England, and 

 " fed alike the vassal and his lord." If once such schemes as those 

 under consideration were sanctioned, this quietude, charm, and value of 

 the woods would vanish, never to return. The place would be gradually 

 given over to the speculator, publican, and swing proprietor ; and in 

 twenty years' time the woods would become a mere park, relegated to the 

 tender mercies of the more uneducated sections of the community, to the 

 destruction of all that made it valuable in the eyes of the true philan- 

 thropist, he who could and would look forward to the time when the 

 existence so near London of a piece of true untouched nature would be 

 of inestimable value in the moral and physical education of millions yet 

 unborn. He hoped that all intelligent Londoners, whether " naturalists " 

 or not, would consider the question carefully, and speak out emphatically 

 while yet there was time. No parts of the woodlands were more than 

 two miles from a railway station, and to sanction such vulgarities as 

 tramways through a Forest was but to wealdy bow to a mistaken and 

 mischievous agitation, fomented by a few interested speculators caring 

 more for commissions, percentages, and " bar -takings " than for the 

 true and permanent interests and wishes of intelligent citizens. 



Some suggestions were made by Dr. Pearce, Messrs. Gould, Warner, 

 and Eoss ; and the resolution was passed unanimously, the President, 

 Secretary, and Council being empowered to prepare and present petitions 

 to the Conservators and to Parliament, and to take measures to enlist the 

 co-operation of the various Natural History Societies in and around 

 London in the matter. 



A proposal of Sir T. Fowell Buxton, relative to the- preservation of the 

 FercB Nuturce in the County of Essex, was on the agenda paper ; but the 

 full consideration of the question was postponed, the members present 



