THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 245 



IMersea. Tliese included some wedf];e-sliaped pieces of pottery almost exactly 

 similar to those used at the Doulton Works at the present day, and some 

 "shovel-handle " shaped pieces of baked clay M'hich further contirm the theory 

 that the mounds mark the site of pottery works. There were also numerous 

 pieces of finished pottery, some ]:)lain, some ornamented, showing by their form 

 that the potter's wheel had been in use. 



Dr. Henry Laver believed the *' red hills " to be of much greater antiquity 

 than was generally supposed, and mentioned that Celtic pottery had been dug out 

 of one at JNIersea. He pointed out that a complete knowledge of these 

 mysterious remains was impossible until a thorough investigation of them had 

 taken place, and suggested that application might be madeto the British Associa- 

 tion for a grant to help the work of exploration. 



Mr. T. V. Holmes, Mr. C. E. Benham, and other members took part in the 

 discussion. A few fragments of pottery were found, probably brought up to the 

 surface by the rabbits, but time did not permit of any actual excavation work. 



On returning to the Virley " White Hart " the brake was again occupied, 

 and the return journey was accomplished through Layer Breton and Birch, 

 Avhere the party were most hospitably received by Air. Douglass Round and by 

 the Right Hon. James Round, M.P, (an original member of the Club), at the 

 Hall, where the magnificent IVellingtonia, the vineries, and other objects of 

 interest in the grounds were pointed out by ]Mr. Round. The old church ruin 

 near the Hall was also visited, after which Mr. Round hospitably provided tea, 

 which was a welcome refreshment for the visitors, on behalf of whom the 

 President of the Club gracefully thanked the right hon. member. 



'Jhe return train to London at 6.52 was duly reached, and so ended yet 

 another very successful field-meeting in the Colchester district. 



VISIT TO LAMBOURNE FOREST. 



Saturday, June 6th, 1003. 



The object of the meeting was to explore the Lambourne Forest, which 

 forms an important part of Mr. Buxton's scheme for the re-afforestation of 

 Hainhault. The visit last year, on June 14th, was marred by bad weather, and 

 it was thought that the Members would be glad of an opportunity of inspecting 

 at least a portion of the lands which are now practically secured and which will 

 form such a grand addition to our natural open spaces. A sketch of the work of 

 restoration was given in the April part of the Essex Naturalist {ante pp. 



25-29.) 



The party assembled at the Grange Hill Station on the new railway from 

 Woodford to Ilford, at about three o'clock. The walk was up Grange Hill to 

 •Chigwell Row, and across the Recreation Ground to that part of the recovered 

 lands marked on the sketch-map as the "54 acres "field. Here the Forest 

 keeper met the party, and shortly afterwards Mr. E. N. Buxton, who had come 

 up specially from the educational meeting at Colchester to Romford, and cycled 

 thence to the rendezvous to act as " Conductor," where his company was heartily 

 welcomed. 



A very pretty rambling route was then followed through the older woodlands 

 to Cabin Plain, and so on to the open lands of Fox Burrows Farm. Here Mr. 



