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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Saturday, June 14TH, 1890. Joint Meeting of the Club and the
Ipswich Scientific Society at Ipswich and on the Orwell and
Stour Rivers.
This very pleasant and successful meeting of the members of the two Societies
was arranged through the instrumentality of our member, Mr. J. C. Shenstone,
and Mr. G. H. Hewitson, the Hon. Secretary of the Ipswich Scientific Society.
It was the first visit of the Club to the Harwich and Stour districts, where there is
a fine field for good work in all departments of Natural History, which we may
hope will not be neglected after this preliminary exploration.
The members and visitors of the two Societies assembled on the landing stage
at Ipswich about 11.30, on the arrival of the 9 a.m. train from London. Some
few members went down earlier, in order to visit the Museum, which contains
many collections of very considerable importance, and which may be classed with the
best provincial Museums in the country. It was largely promoted by the Rev. W.
Kirby, the celebrated entomologist, and by the late Prof. Henslow. The Museum
is famous for its collections of fossils from the Red and Coralline Crags of the
eastern coasts, which was augmented in 1877 by the gift, by the late Sir
Richard Wallace, of the Rev. H. Canham's fine collection, the result of twenty
years' labour. There are also excellent botanical and bird collections, and a good
series of flint implements, principally found in Suffolk by Mr. S. Fenton. Also
good collections of British shells, crustacea, &c., &c. Dr. J. E. Taylor, F.L.S.,
F.G.S., the "Director" for the day, is the Curator, and under his able manage-
ment the Museum has become the centre of scientific activity in Suffolk.
Ipswich is a town deserving the careful attention of the antiquary—the building
known as "Sparrowes House" is perhaps the most remarkable specimen of ancient
domestic architecture to be found in the eastern counties. The botany, geology and
zoology of the Ipswich district are very interesting, and merit a thorough investi-
gation.
At the landing stage the party embarked upon the G. E. Railway Company's
steamer, the "Stour," which had been specially engaged for the day. The sky
was overcast and almost threatening when the vessel steamed off from the pier at
noon, but the rain held off, and although the river scenery was not at its best
under these conditions, the absence of hot sunshine was perhaps an advantage.
The Orwell is celebrated for the beauty of its scenery, being commonly known as
the "English Rhine." Our English landscape painters, Gainsborough and Constable,
took the subjects of several of their best known works from views upon this river.
The principal aim of the excursion was, however, to study the submarine life of
the Estuary, and the various objects of historic or picturesque interest were
therefore regarded as incidental only to the serious part of the day's proceedings.
There was a good-sized trawl and a dredge aboard, and Mr. W. Jolly (the
lessee of the Orwell Oyster Fishery) was taken into confidence, and was kindly
present to render valuable assistance. Our principal "Director" was Dr. J. E.
Taylor, F.L.S., F.G.S., whose familiar knowledge of the zoology of the bed of
the Orwell was invaluable. The mollusca were looked after by Mr. Walter
Crouch, and Mr. Fitch, F.L.S. Mr. Shenstone, F.R.M.S., also rendered much
information and aid. Mr. Henry Miller, M.Inst.C.E., the President of the