THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 25 



Also Dic^enia disdindrum, parasitic in the bladder of Rami temporal ia, Irom 

 Epping Forest. 



Also Tnbuhma divisa (Hydrozoa) from the Crouch. These specimens 

 were preserved in 4 per cent, formalin two years ago, and were still in good 

 condition. Mr. Schwartz strongly recommended formalin for all marine 

 Hydrozoa. 



Mr. Schwartz's collection, too, included specimens of Sertularia, Obclia 

 gelatinosa (Campanularidae) from the Crouch River ; Pygnngoiiuin littoiah from 

 the Thames estuary, and other forms. 



Dr. Dixon exhibited specimens of Anliarloitium lewiiiii, a cactus growing in 

 Mexico. The Indians eat the dried plant in their religious ceremonies. Dr. 

 Dixon described the physiological effects of the alkaloid of the plant — the 

 most remarkable being visions in which the air seemed filled with vague 

 perfumes, and musical notes could be imagined to arrange about themselves a 

 halo of harmonious sounds. But the most distinct of all were the colour 

 visions, consisting of displays of ever varying colours, of incomparable 

 brilliancy and beauty. 



Dr. Dixon also exhibited a microscopic preparation of BaciUiis pcstis, the 

 bubonic plague bacillus of India. 



Prof. Meldola made some remarks on the chemical nature of the alkaloid 

 of the cactus. 



Mr. C. Oldham exhibited and presented to the Club's Museum an ancient 

 clay " Loom-weight " [or fisherman's " net-sinker" ?] found in October last in 

 a gravel pit at the rear of St. Swithin's Farm; Barking Side. The weight lay 

 in a stratum of sand 7 feet from the surface. 



Mr. Oldham also exhibited some Nocture taken at "Sugar" in Epping 

 Forest last season, including the rare Cymatophora ocularis taken on the 

 5th July ; Cosmia diffinis and C. affinis, Dipterygia pinastri, &c. 



The Secretary exhibited the four privately issued volumes of Gen. Pitt- 

 Rivers' magnificent work on the explorations at Rushmore, presented by the 

 General to the Club. The 4th volume had only recently been issued. 



Prof. Meldola made some remarks on the great scientific value of General 

 Pitt-Rivers' researches, the investigations described and illustrated in his 

 books were models of the methods of conducting and registering such excava- 

 tions. General Pitt-Rivers was one of the pioneers of scientific archaeology, 

 and of the right use of the " pick and shovel," and many of our greatest 

 archaeological explorers owed their inspiration to him. A cordial vote of 

 thanks was passed to General Pitt-Rivers for his valuable donation. 



Mr. W. Cole called attention to the new Orders for the Protection of 

 Wild Birds in Essex, and particularly to those relating to the Epping Forest 

 District which as now enlarged under the recent mandate of the Secretary of 

 State established one of the largest absolutely protected areas in England. 



By means of the electric light lantern an exhibition was made of the fine 

 series of Slides brought together by the British Association Committee formed 

 for the " collection and preservation of Photographs of Geological interest." 

 In the display of a selection of the lantern slides, preference was gi\-en to those 

 haviiig a direct bearing on the geology of England, east of a line from Dorset 

 to the Wash. Two albums of prints of geological photographs were also 



