NOTES.
185
Mr. Shenstone, after expressing his thanks for the kind reference made to
himself, said he wished to acknowledge the kind and hearty manner in which
the Mayor met him when he mentioned to him the intended visit of the two
Clubs, and suggested they should like to have his Worship's support. He never
had a proposition met in a more hearty or a nicer way. Mr. Shenstone, in calling
attention to some of the exhibits, mentioned that their thanks were due to Messrs.
Sanders and Son for supplying them with the electrical energy from their
premises opposite, also for lending them the motor at work in the room. They
were also greatly indebted to Messrs. Christy, Son and Norris of Chelmsford, and
particularly to Mr. Frank Christy for fitting up the apparatus, and for providing
many interesting exhibits.
Dr. Laver made acknowledgment of the kind manner in which his name and
the small way in which he had been able to contribute to the success of the
gathering had been mentioned. It was pretty generally known that at any time
on such occasions he was always willing to act the part of showman. He con-
sidered this to be one of the high days of Colchester, and he hoped the result of
their gathering that day would be to make Colchester people proud of the son of
their city, whose memory had hitherto been neglected.
The meeting then became a conversazione, the visitors finding much enter-
tainment in the various instruments and machines exhibited, and it terminated at
a late hour. Many members visited the electrical installation at Messrs. Sanders
and Sons, and those who stayed over the night at Colchester took advantage of
Mr. Joslin's invitation to examine his Museum. Notwithstanding the bad weather,
the meeting was highly successful and was thoroughly enjoyed by all privileged
to take part in it.
[The Editor has, in compiling the above account, made free use of the
excellent reports in the "Essex Standard" and the "Essex Telegraph," and he
has to thank the Editor of the former paper for the loan of the blocks of engrav-
ings of Gilberd's house and monument.]
Marten at Terling Seventy Years ago.—It may be of some interest to
record that my father, Mr. J. M. Wood, of Terling, has in his possession a speci-
men of the Beech Marten (Martes fagorum, Fleming), which was shot at Terling
about seventy years ago, on a wool-sack. It is nearly as large as a fox. I am
not aware of another specimen from the neighbourhood.—John M. Wood, CE.,
113, Balfour Road, Highbury New Park, Nov. 1st, 1890.
[In our "Journal of Proceedings," vol iv., p. lxiv., we gave the late Mr.
Alston's reasons for believing that only one species of Martes had ever occurred
in this country—the Pine Marten (Al. sylvatica, Nilsson)—and that the pale-
chested individuals, commonly called Beech Marten (M. fagorum, of Fleming=
foina of other English writers) were merely aged or faded specimens of M. sylvatica.
The true M. foina of Erxleben, presents structural differences in the cranial and
dental characters, and, according to Mr. Alston, it has never been found in
Britain.—Ed.]
Coal in Essex.—The November number of the Geol. Mag. contains some
"Suggestions on Sites for Coal-search in the South-east of England," by Mr.
Whitaker, F.R.S., of much interest in connection with this problem.