ANNUAL REPORT. 265 



^vllO should join as a matter of county patriotism and <:];ood feeling. One- 

 twentieth per cent, of tlie whole population of Essex would give the Club a 

 membership sufficient for all the work that has ever been projected as coming 

 within its scope and ability. 



]Mketings. — Six ordinary meetin(:js were held during 1903, at whicii the 

 papers, lectures, and other communications taken, fully sustained the scientific 

 character of the Club. The Council have to thank Air. D. J. Scourfield, 

 F.R.M.S., for his lecture on the "Locomotion of Aquatic Organisms"; Mr. 

 A. S. Kennard for a demonstration of a fine series of Flint Implements found in 

 the Thames Valley ; JNIr. George INIassee, F.T.S., for a lecture " On some points 

 in the Life History of a Parasitic Fungus,'' Mr. Somerville Hastings for a lecture- 

 demonstration of a very fine series of photograplis of Fungi, taken by himself ; 

 Professor G. S. Boulger, for a lecture on " Seed Dispersal," illustrated by a series 

 of lantern slides ; Mr. J. T. Winkworth, for a demonstration of a very fine 

 collection of "varieties" o^ Helix 7ienio?-aI is, coWeciQd by himself mainly in 

 Essex, and Mr. R. B. Lodge, for a lecture *' Some pictures of Bird Life, at home 

 and abroad," illustrated by a magnificent series of photographs from nature. 

 Our President kindly acted as the Club's Delegate at the Southport Meeting of 

 the British Association, and he presented a very full report of the proceedings of 

 the Local Scientific Societies' Committee at our Meeting on November 28. 

 This report lias been published in the ESSEX Naturalist. 



The extremely unsettled weather during the greater part of last summer 

 seriously interfered with the arrangement of Field Meetings, and on one occasion 

 (June 20) it was found necessary to abandon the meeting at the last moment, 

 after the circulars had been issued to members. At the Field Meetings the 

 following gentlemen rendered esseniial service, and the Council beg to heartily 

 thank them : — Councillors Gurney Benham, Mr. C. E. Benham, Dr. H. Laver, 

 jNIr. E. N. Buxton, Mr. \V. H. Dalton, Mr. J. M. Wood, Mr. Paul, Air. 

 F. Enock, Mr. T. V. Holmes, Air. E. T. NcAvton, F.R.S., and Air. W. Whitaker, 

 F.R.S. Arthe Fungus Foray on October 24, the Club was again favoured with 

 the valuable expert assistance of Dr. M. C. Cooke, Air. George Massee, and Air. 

 A. Lister, F.R.S. 



Alost welcome hospitality was accorded by the Right Hon. James Round, 

 ALP., at his house. Birch Hall, on April 13, and on the enjoyable riverside 

 excursion on June 30, by our member. Air. J. AI. Wood, C.E. We have also to 

 thank our member. Colonel Bryan, C.E., for permission to hold the meeting at 

 the Tottenham Reservoirs, whicli meeting was abandoned in consequence of bad 

 weather, as above stated. 



The best thanks of the Club are due to the Education Committee of 

 the Corporation of West Ham, and to the Principal, Air. Briscoe, for the use 

 of the Aleeting Rooms, and for many facilities in the conduct of the evening 

 Meetings. 



The Essex Naturalist. — The quarterly issue, announced in the last 

 annual report, was commenced in April, and the Council venture to think it has 

 met with general approval. Three parts were published within the year, 

 comprising 160 pages, with six plates, two maps, and many other illustrations 

 The place of the Janu-.ry part was taken by the heavy part completing Vol. XII., 

 which, though dated 1902, was really paid for in 1903, and which partly accounts 

 for the extra cost of our journal in the latter year. The Council may point to the 

 number and character of the papers, etc., printed, as a good reason for the 



