THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
173
in full blossom, kindly forwarded by Mr. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S. (Curator to the
Pharmaceutical Society), whose name appeared upon the circular as one of the
directors of the party, but who was unfortunately unable to attend. In his
absence Mr. J. C. Shenstone kindly acted as expositor, giving many interesting
facts as to the botanical characters, habitats, and uses of the plants in the collection,
which were drawn from all parts of the kingdom, but had been planted and were
now growing in Mr. Holmes's garden at Sevenoaks. Being all rare species they
attracted much notice from the botanists present.
At Parkeston Quay some of the party landed for a short time on the pier.
Amongst the many fine steamers lying alongside was one of the newest and finest
of the Great Eastern Railway Company's fleet, the "Cambridge," and this they
were invited to inspect. The beautifully kept decks and saloons gave the
appearance of a brand new vessel though she had now seen three years of service.
Time, however, did not permit of any long stay. The passengers re-embarked at
half-past four for Harwich, where some of them landed for the night, intending to
make some explorations of the neighbourhood on the morrow. Before reaching
the pier Mr. Fitch, as President of the Essex Field Club, proposed a vote of thanks
to Dr. J. E. Taylor, "the guide, philosopher, and friend" of the party, as well as to
Mr. William Jolly, Mr. J. C. Shenstone, and Mr. G. H. Hewetson, Honorary
Secretary to the Ipswich Scientific Society. Mr. H. Miller, jun., as President of
the Ipswich Scientific Society, seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried
with unanimity and enthusiasm. Dr. Taylor contented himself with a brief and
pithy reply : "Ladies and gentlemen, if you are satisfied, I am"—an exemplary
response which was well followed by the other recipients of thanks. Capt. Mills
was also warmly thanked for his attention and courtesy. The boat lay alongside
Harwich pier for a brief space and then took its occupants on a short trip round
the Bell Buoy. A nice breeze and a gentle swell at the mouth of the harbour
made the journey a very pleasant one, and the party returned home direct,
reaching Ipswich at ten minutes to seven.
The Secretary was not with the party staying at Harwich, and no report has
been furnished, with the exception of the following list of the plants observed by
Mr. J. C. Shenstone :—Honkeneya peploides, Lepigonum marinum, Ononis arvensis,
Vicia hirsuta, Peplis portula, Conium maculatum, Tragopogon pratensis, Convolvulus
soldanella (in full bloom and abundant on the sand-hills at Dovercourt)
Scrophularia aquatica, Anagallis arvensis, Plantago coronopus, P. maritima,
Beta maritima, Zostera angustifolia, Festuca pratensis, b. loliacea Huds., Triticum
junceum, Carex arenaria, &c., &c., all at Harwich, and at Manningtree Anthris-
cus vulgaris, Rhinanthus cristi-galli and Ruppia rostellata were noticed. Of
the above mostly very common plants Festuca pratensis, b. loliacea, is undoubtedly
the most interesting. It is not by any means a common plant, and it has not
been recorded from Harwich for more than 200 years, when it was found by Dale.
The only other locality in Essex is at Southend, where it was found by Edward
Forster in the early part of this century, and later by Henry Ibottson.
Near Harwich also the following sea-weeds were gathered, the correctness of
the names being, as before, certified by Mr. E. M. Holmes: Ectocarpus confervoides,
Le Jol., b subulatus, Hauck. ; Pilayella littoralis, Kjellm ; Cladostephus spongiosus,
Ktz.; Fucus vesiculosus, L. ; Porphyra leucosticta, Thur. ; Ceramium rubrum, Ag. ;
C. tenuissimum J. Ag. ; Cystoclonium purpurascens, Ktz.