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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Visit to Colchester, Lexden, Layer Marney, etc.
May 19th to 21st, 1888.
It would be quite unnatural in any Society having for the scene of its activity
the greater part of the ancient Kingdom of the Trinobantes, to neglect Colchester,
the earliest town in England to which authentic history attaches ; which is rich in
associations, legendary, archaeological and historical of all periods—Celtic, Roman,
Saxon, Norman and Modern—and which contains so many records in earth,
pottery, brick, and stone, of local and even of our national history. Four years
ago the Club had a very successful meeting in the town and neighbourhood, visit-
ing Mersea, and many of the most striking scenes of the havoc wrought by the
great Earthquake of April 22nd, 1884. This year, largely aided by the kind
exertions of our Vice-President Dr. Laver, and our members, the Rev. C. L.
Acland, Mr. J. C. Shenstone, and Mr. W. H. Harwood, the Secretaries were
enabled at Whitsun-tide to arrange a second visit to Cunobelin's "royal town."
The above named gentlemen, with our worthy President, Mr. Fitch, acted as
conductors at the meeting, and the thanks of the Club are due to them for their
efforts in its interests.
Excellent arrangements had been made at the "Cups Hotel" for the accommo-
dation of members from the Saturday to the Tuesday, and many availed themselves
of this opportunity to makes a somewhat longer visit — travelling down to
Colchester on the Saturday afternoon. The evening was spent in an exami-
nation of the Castle, Museum, and other objects of interest in the town. On the
following morning the train was taken to Thorington, where the White Climbing
Fumitory (Corydalis claviculata) was gathered, and so on to Brightlingsea
(noticing Ruscus aculeatus by the way), where the Church of "All Saints" (a build-
ing of great interest, chiefly early perpendicular work, about 1400) was attended.
Near the Church Salvia verbeaca (Wild Clary) was growing commonly. The
nearest localities mentioned by Gibson are Harwich and Mersea, at which latter
place Mr. Shenstone has gathered it, but this is the first record for Brightlingsea.
Another plant gathered, not recorded for this locality by Gibson, was Carduus
marianus, abundantly. The Milk-thistle is not indigenous, but is now cultivated
in gardens for the sake of its ornamental foliage, which when young makes a nice
salad. Also Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), mentioned in the "Flora of Essex," as
occurring in several places, but Mr. Shenstone had been unable to find any records
for this locality since the book appeared. Other plants noticed were Lamium
amplexicaule (Henbit), Lactuca virosa (Acrid Lettuce), Frageria vesca, and Borage
officinalis, etc.
Advantage was taken of the ferry to visit St. Osyth. On the way many insects,
were noticed, and some photographs were taken by Mr. Greatheed. The pretty
little butterfly, Thecla rubi, was flitting about the brambles in numbers; an
Emperor Moth (Saturnia carpini) dashed wildly by the hedgerow, and the charm-
ing "Wood-lady" butterflies (Anthocaris cardamines) were flying leisurely in the
lanes. The little bronze-coloured "Long-horned Moths" (Adela viridella) made
a pretty sight, hovering over the bushes in swarms, with Bibio-like flight, in full
enjoyment of the bright sunshine. Mr. Harwood looked after the bees, and
other insects were also collected. At St. Osyth the entomologists under Mr.
Harwood's guidance found plenty of mild excitement in the somewhat difficult
search for the hybernated larvae of the "Essex Emerald Moth" (Phorodesma