280 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Mr. Fitch, who is thoroughly well acquainted with the history and topography
of the land on either side of the route taken, was constantly appealed to for infor-
mation, which he is always ready to give. The weather was everything that could
be desired, and the sea extremely smooth. The lively porpoise was seen disport-
ing in the water towards the mouth of the river, evidently in search of food. The
remains of several wrecks dotted here and there along the coast indicated its
dangerous character. Nearing the Thames, numerous steamers and other vessels
passing to and fro gave some idea of the vastness of the shipping trade of which
the Metropolis is the centre. Meanwhile, the good ship "Shield" was steadily
ploughing her way along at the rate of about seven knots an hour, the measured
mile beyond the Maplin lighthouse being covered in 81/2 minutes, and Southend
Pier was reached just before 7.30, the distance traversed being about 35 nautical
miles. Refreshments were kindly dispensed during the voyage by Mr. and Mrs.
Rogers, jun.
As there was no dredging or landing on our voyage to Southend, little could be
observed ; but Fucus serratus and F. nodosus were noticed, with F. vesiculosus
in the Crouch.
It being low water, the company disembarked from the "Shield" at the pier's end,
and a walk of a mile and a quarter or more therealong was necessary to reach the
land and the "Royal Hotel," which was the head-quarters for the meeting.
After tea, an adjournment was made to the large room at the Southend Institute,
in Clarence Road, which had been most kindly placed at the disposal of the con-
ductors by the Secretary, Mr. R. Langton.
Here, by the kindness of local friends, quite a small museum of specimens had
been arranged. The Institute possesses the birds, herbarium, and other natural
history collections of the late Mr. Christopher Parsons, which have been already
noticed by Mr. Fitch in the Essex Naturalist (vol. iii. pp. 55—6); these were
exhibited, and attracted great notice. Mr. S. W. Squier lent a selection of
Parsons' entomological collections. Other interesting exhibits amongst many
were the following :—
A cabinet of Birds' Eggs found in the neighbourhood of Leigh, Benfleet,
Southend, &c. [Mr. Frank Foster].
Polished Neolithic Celt found in the railway cutting between Rockford and
Prittlewell, 1887 [Mr. P. Benton].
"Arrow-head from near the Kitchen Midden at South Shoebury in 1886; given
to me by Major Walford" [Mr. Benton].
Pottery from S. Shoebury Brickfield [Mr. Benton].
Iron Spear found in railway cutting near Prittlewell Priory, 1887 [Mr.
Benton].
Head of Bos longifrons, and Antlers of Red Deer, found in the "Kitchen
Midden," in the brickfield at Great Wakering, in 1887 [Mr. Benton].
Pottery found at Mill Head, Great Wakering, in 1888, in brick-earth, 8 feet from
surface, with pieces of shell above it, on land formerly unenclosed saltings [Mr.
Benton].
Grinding Stone of vesicular Basalt from Great Wakering [Mr. Benton].
Nine metal plates found at Thames Haven about 7 or 8 feet below the surface
of the Marsh [Mr. W. H. Lockey].
Seven pots and one ivory wristlet; and specimens of Samian and Blackware
(? Roman) found in a Red-Hill at Foulness [Mr. A. Stallibrass].
Roman remains found at Southend [Mr. T. G. Wakeling].
Pottery from East Tilbury, near Coal House Fort [Mr. S. W. Squier],
"Pottery found on the Oppidum on the Mount at Prittlewell."
Local Prints [Mr. Durrant, Mr. Fitch, and Mr. A. J. Furbank].
Pottery from Encampment near Bownes Green, Southchurch [Mr. Benton].