THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB'S LOCAL AND 

 EDUCATIONAL COLLECTIONS. 



THE ESSEX MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 

 THE PASSMORE EDWARDS MUSEUM, 



Romford Road, Stratford, Essex. 



THE EPPING FOREST MUSEUM, 



Qiiccii Elizabeth's Lodge, Chiugford, Essex. 



The original documents relating to the foundation of the 

 Club — the Rules, Prof. Meldola's Inaugural Address, and his 

 first Presidential Address — insisted on the formation of a Local 

 Museum and Library as a matter of first-class importance in the 

 scheme of the society. After 20 years waiting, and in the dawn 

 of the 20th century, these ideas will be realized, and in the two 

 Essex Museums the Club will have institutions in which to 

 house its collections second to few of like kind in the kingdom. 



The gathering together of specimens and collections and 

 appliance for their conservation has been vigorously carried on 

 during the last few years, but an immense amount of work yet 

 remains to be done. Above all things is required Systematic 

 Collecting in various parts of the county. If more members would 

 take up definite groups, and endeavour to obtain all the species in those 

 groups occurring in their districts, they would find the occupation 

 a delightful and instructive one, and the results would be valuable 

 not only to our Museums, but also in improving our County 

 records, which are still so incomplete in many sections. 



Gratifying aid could also be afforded b}' those having the 

 means of obtaining isolated species, specimens of which are still 

 unrepresented in our collections. I may particularly mention 

 many Bjrds (coast species' especially j, and authenticated Eggs 

 and Nests; some species of Mammals, particularly the Bank 

 Vole, the Shrews, Dormouse, and Harvest Mouse. Fishes from 

 the Fssex rivers, and the more uncommon marine species. Many 

 kinds of Marine Mollusca and Crustacea. Some of our rarer 

 EcHiNODERMATA, PoLvzoA and Sponges, &c. Insects of many 

 families are required, particularly Hemiptera, Orthoptera, and 

 Hymenoptera. Authentic specimens of Flowering Plants from 

 several parts of the county are also desired, as well as Leaf 

 Fungi and Lichens. 



I am striving to supply deficiences, but our friends shovild 

 remember that " many hands can make light work," and resolve 

 to do their best to help during the memorable first year of the 

 museum and the century. I shall be very glad to give full par- 

 ticulars as to any group, with hints on collecting, preservation, 

 &c. Pending the removal of the Curator's Laboratory to the 

 Museum, specimens should be sent to me at the temporary work- 

 rooms, 9, Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, Essex. 



December, 1899. William Cole, Curator. 



John Dutton, Printer, Chelmsford. 



