250
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
none of the worms were dug out. As bait, Mr. Fitch told us, their local price is
generally half-a-crown per quart. Dead tubes of Terebella conchilega were not
uncommon, and were eagerly examined by the conchologists for small shells, with
satisfactory results. This tube-building worm is popularly known as the "Shell-
binder." Upon the beach were likewise found dead specimens of the bristly
Aphrodite aculeata, and portions of cuttle-bone (Sepia officinalis) ; the sponge-like
egg-clusters of the common whelk were not uncommon, and the sessile barnacle
or Acorn-shell (Balanus balanoides) was abundant on nearly every stone. The
quantities of dead oyster-shells were observed in most instances to be completely
riddled by the soft boring sponge (Cliona celata). In pools in the saltings and
mud the little Crustacean (Palaemon serratus) was common, with "Sand-hoppers"
(Talitrus locusta), and "Shore-jumpers" (Orchestia littorea).
The occurrence of the larvae of Deilephila galii has already been noticed,
but the general entomology of the island must be left for another opportu-
nity.
The flora of Osey Island may be described as particularly interesting for so
small a place. Besides a large number of plants more or less common to all
coasts, such as species of Atriplex, Suaeda maritima, etc., the following plants
of special interest were found by the botanists of the party, Mr. E. M. Holmes
and Mr. J. C. Shenstone :—Silene maritima, With. ("Sea-campion" can scarcely
be termed a rare plant, nevertheless it is not so common but that its discovery
upon the island is worthy of record); Inula crithmoides, L. (although usually
by no means a common plant, it was found in comparative abundance) ; Statice
bahusiensis, Fries. (found in abundance, and as the plant has not been recently
recorded for this part of the coast, the "find" was a very interesting one); S.
dodartii (also a very interesting discovery); Suaeda fruticosa, Forsk. (the "Shrubby
Sea-blite" is a far from common plant, but was found in abundance—several fine
"fasciated" specimens were also gathered). Asparagus officinalis, L. (two forms
of this plant are found in Britain ; one prostrate, said to be the only truly wild
asparagus, the other erect, reputed to be an "escape." The plant on Osey
was growing near the limits of high-water, four or five feet high, with flexuous
stems, and whether an escape or not, it is improbable that it has been intro-
duced by other than natural means, as there is only one small homestead upon the
island). It was stated that Glaucium luteum (yellow horned-poppy), Cakile
maritima (sea-rocket), Honkeneja peploides (sea-pimpernel), Trifolium maritimum
(sea-trefoil), etc., also occur. The following plants were noticed in addition to
those mentioned :—
Fumaria officinalis.
Diplotaxis muralis.
Lepidium campestre.
Senebiera coronopus.
Arenaria scrpyllifolia.
Spergularia rubra.
Reseda luteola.
Hypericum perforatum.
Sarothamnus scoparius.
Ulex europaeus.
Vicia tetrasperma.
Sedum anglicum.
Conium maculatum (8 feet high).
Lactuca virosa (abundantly).
Crepis virens.
Artemisia maritima.
Filago germanica.
Anthemis arvensis.
Senecio jaeobaea.
Cynoglossum officinale.
Veronica polita.
Glaus maritima.
Plantago corouopus.
Polygonum convolvulus.
P. fagopyrum.
Chenopodium rubrum.
Salicornia herbacea.
Beta maritima.
Obione portulacoides.
Mercurialis perennis.
Humulus lupulus (stems unusually
prickly).