THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
247
Certainly the most generally observed zoological fact of the day was the extra-
ordinary abundance of "Acalephae," or "jelly-fish," whose life-histories are so
marvellous. The sea was quite "soupy" with the common Medusa aurita, Linn.;
in fact, while we lay becalmed off Bradwell and Mersea the water seemed to be
animated by the regular and rhythmical pulsations of these translucent discs,
slowly floating by us in incredible numbers. Every now and then a larger and
more opaque species was noticed; this was the Cyanaea capillata, formidable, not
in its appearance, but from the presence of numerous poison-threads, causing a
sharp stinging or burning sensation when they are touched, as Mr. Fitch could
fully testify when he captured a specimen from the boat with his hand. This
species is locally known as the "stinging swalder," and is only seen in hot
weather, on sunny days. In catching the common species with a bucket, several
specimens of the beautiful little sea-acorn (Cydippe pomiformis) were brought on
board ; from its glassy, transparent nature, it was quite invisible in the water, but
upon examination in a tumbler its iridescent, melon-like form, with the two long
and delicate tentacles, was plainly observable.
Several species of Echinoderms were obtained ; among them was one specimen
of the rare Eyed-Cribella (Cribella sanguinolenta, Muller); it was bright orange-
red in colour, and measured five inches across. The handsome common sun-
stars (Solaster papposa, Linn.), locally known as "roses," were common, and
varied much in size, as also was the Common Brittle-star (Ophioglypha ciliata,
Muller), variable and beautiful as usual, with its slender ciliated vermiform and
exceedingly brittle rays—veritable serpent-tails. Another Brittle-star was col-
lected, but it remains unnamed. The Common Star fish (Uraster rubens, Linn.),
locally known as "five-fingers," was abundant, as might be expected when Mr.
Fitch told us that last year he bought nearly 70 tons, at 16s. per ton, for manures
all caught in the Blackwater. A few specimens of the Common Sea-urchin,
(Echinus sphaera, Muller, and E. miliaris, Leske) were dredged. Holothurians
were abundant, but received but little attention; nor did the Zoophytes, though
Sertulariadae were abundant; but the only Sea-anemone found was the common
Actinia mesembryanthemum, L.
Of Stalk-eyed Crustacea, Carcinus maenas, Leach, was, of course, abundant, and
a few specimens of Hyas araneus, Leach, were dredged up, with a species of Portu-
nus, and one specimen of the remarkably slender and long-legged Stenorhynchus
longirostris, Fabr. (tenuirostris, Leach). Whelk shells were commonly tenanted
by the Hermit crab (Pagurus bernhardus, Linn.), locally known as "farmers."
The mollusca obtained by dredging, and also by searching on the shores of
Osey Island, were catalogued by Mr. Walter Crouch, and a few species added by
Mr. E. M. Holmes. Some of the species were represented by dead shells only.
usual marketable fish, as eels, soles, plaice, flounders, dabs, etc., the following species were
collected :—A Father-Lasher, locally "Bull-rout'' (Cottus bubalis, Euphr.), measuring 9 inches
in length, allowed by Arthur Wright, the fisherman, to be the largest he had ever seen. Last
year Mr. Fitch recorded one 8 inches long (E. N. i. 114), but Day ("Fishes of Great Britain
and Ireland," i. 53) says "it attains to 12 or 13 inches in length," a size which must be very
exceptional for this common fish. Two specimens of the Armed Bullhead or Pogge (Agonus
cataphractus, L.), one measuring 5 inches in length, the other 51/2 inches One Double-spotted
Goby (Gobius ruthensparri, Euphr.), 21/2 inches long. Several Butterfish or Spotted Gunnel
(Centronotus gunnellus, L.) ; one measured 43/4 inches, another 51/2. The Viviparous Blenny,
locally "Eel-pout" (Zoarces viviparus, L.), was very common; the largest specimen measured
81/2 inches in length. The Fifteen-spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus spinachia, L.) was common,
and uniformly from 3 to 4 inches long. The Three-bearded Rockling (Motella tricirrata,
Gmel.) was as common as the Five-bearded Rockling (Motella mustela, L.), which is not
apparently general. These dull orange fishes are locally known as "Newcome" or "Lucome."
The Great Pipe-fish (Syngnathus acus, L.), especially the young green specimens, many being
very bright in colour, was abundant. The young mostly ran from 6 to 8 inches long, but the
largest measured 16 inches, the maximum, according to Day (but cf. E. N. i. 114).