340 ABSENCE OF THE BEECH IN HAINHAULT, 



Essex Field Club. A joint committee of the Geological and 

 Geographical Sections has been appointed for the purpose of 

 ascertaining and recording the exact significance and derivation 

 of local terms applied to topographical and geological subjects. 

 Any member of this Club who can throw light upon such words 

 as are used in East Anglia, especially in Essex, should com- 

 municate their information to the Secretary of the Committee at 

 the British Association offices. 



In biological work several subjects had been suggested at 

 former meetings w^ithout producing any substantial result. Such, 

 for instance, were (i) cave faunas, (2) the zoological changes on 

 a given plot of land during the year, (3) the compilation of local 

 faunas, for which a complete working scheme has been prepared^ 

 and (4) systematic observations on the micro-organisms of a 

 given pond or ditch. In addition to these the following new 

 subjects for investigation are now recommended, namely, (5) the 

 overland lines of migrations of birds, and (6) the collection of 

 British slugs. 



Miss Ethel Sargant, of Reigate, still appeals for information 

 as to British orchids, especially as to the length of time the 

 leaves are above ground, and as to their reproduction by means 

 of seeds. ^ 



Reviewing the work of the Cambridge Congress, as a whole, 

 it seems likely that the discussions at the meeting will give a 

 fresh impetus to the efforts of the Corresponding Societies' Com.- 

 mittee and lead to a strengthening of the union between the 

 societies and the Association. 



ABSENCE OF THE BEECH IN HAINHAULT, 

 AS CONTRASTED WITH EPPING, FOREST. 



By W. H. DALTON, F.G.S. 



MR. Buxton's remarks on this topic at the meeting of 

 June 4th suggested investigation of the differences 

 underlying the general resemblance of tlie two areas. In 

 both, the mass of the hills consists of London Clay, both have 

 a scanty remnant of Bagshot Beds on the crest of the main 

 ridge, the highest points being occupied by Glacial boulder-clay, 

 gravel, and loam, whilst the lower ground is sprinkled with 

 patches of gravel of undefined age, probably m some cases the 



2 Rep. Brit. Assoc, for 1903 (Southport), p. 493. 



