THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 259 



molluscan animal abstracted. This went to show that the otter lived tu 

 some extent upon mollusca. 



Mr Chalkley Gould exhibited on behalf of Mr. B. G. Cole, a counterfeit 

 Spanish dollar found a few years ago in Epping Forest, which had been 

 presented to the Forest Museum by Mr. Percy Gearing. Mr. Gould remarked 

 that during the reign of George III. the excessive scarcity of silver money led 

 the British Government to attempt to remedy the deficiency by buying Spanish 

 dollars, counter-marking them (on the bust of the Spanish ruler) with the 

 Hall-mark of King George, and issuing them as British coin. As a natural 

 consequence counterfeiting on a large scale ensued, and after two attempts so 

 to utilize the dollars, the Government abandoned the plan ; the entire Spanish 

 impression was obliterated under a powerful press, and the silver was used to 

 coin the well-known Bank of England dollar. The exhibited example of the 

 forged dollar, with the counter-mark of 1797, was found with many others in 

 Epping Forest, near the " Wake Arms," at a spot selected, doubtless, by 

 some counterfeiter who was prevented from recovering the hoard. It is heavily 

 plated with silver upon a copper body. The coin is " Carolu^ III. [of Spain] 

 Dei Gratia, 1773." About 40 years ago a considerable number were found at 

 or near the same spot. 



Mr. Frank P. Smith gave a most interesting viva voce account of the 

 preliminary portion of his projected series of papers on " The Spiders of 

 Epping Forest." The lecture was illustrated by about 50 lantern slides, 

 many of photographs taken in the open from actual specimens, afibrding 

 instances of " Aggressive Resemblance " and other facts in the life-histories 

 of spiders. Mr. Smith also explained his methods of collecting and studying 

 spiders, and the precautions necessary in securing photographs. 



The President proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Smith for his 

 admirable lecture, and for the series of papers of which it was the forerunner. 

 He also made some remarks on points in the lecture, more particularly on the 

 instances brought forward of " Aggressive Mimicry " among spiders. 



The vote of thanks was passed by acclamation and Mr. Smith replied. 



The r«port of the Club's Delegate at the British Association meeting at 

 Glasgow, Mr F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., was taken as read. Mr. Rudler was 

 cordially thanked for his report and for his services as Delegate. The Report 

 was printed in the last part of the Essex Naturalist, ante pp. 140-145. 



A paper on Eolithic Implements from the Plateau Gravel around 

 Walderslade, by Mr. J. P. Johnson was " read " in abstract (in Mr. Johnson's 

 absence through illness) by Mr. A. S Kennard The paper was illustrated 

 by specimens and by a few lantern slides. It will appear in the Essex 

 Naturalist. 



Mr. A. S. Kennard also exhibited and presented to the Club, some 

 Eolithic stones from the country near Rochester. 



Both Mr. Kennard and the President commented on the value of these 

 implements as affording evidence of the existence of man at the time the 

 Plateau gravels were deposited. Mr. Paulson also joined in the discussion. 

 Votes of thanks to Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kennard were passed. 



