THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
247
is of great extent, and forms, united with the bay, a roadstead for large ships
of war.
While waiting at Harwich, Mr. E. M. Holmes made some observations on the
algae of the shore there, which will be found recorded in the present number of
the Essex Naturalist (see page 263).
A run was also made by the steamer across the harbour to Felixstowe Pier,
where nearly an hour's stay was allowed, and where, on the shore, the botanists
were much interested in finding Zostera marina var. angustifolia in flower and in
fruit, the furrowed seeds being almost as large as wheat kernels, while the
axillary flowers were only to be seen by the slight thickening and by holding the
plant up to the light.
The company saw the "Lord of the Isles" leave Harwich and a splendid
steamer belonging to the Wilson Line come in, and the journey home was made
in glorious weather, with the evening sunlight showing the scenery of the river-
side in its loveliest aspect. All were landed at Ipswich before seven o'clock, and
the party separated with mutual expressions of a hope that other meetings of a
similar kind would be held in future.
Excursion from Maldon to Chelmsford, along the Blackwater
and Chelmer Navigation River.
Saturday, August 8th, 1891.
Directors—E. A. FITCH, F.L.S , EDMUND DURRANT, WALTER CROUCH, F.Z.S.,
W. COLE, F.E.S., Dr. J. E. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and DR. PEARL.
The main object of this meeting was to afford opportunities for botanical,
entomological and conchological observations along the banks of the Chelmer
river, which was rendered navigable in 1797 by the setting up of numerous locks,
and making some cuts to avoid bends, &c.
The principal arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Fitch and Durrant,
and they were admirably carried out in every detail. The members and visitors
(numbering about eighty) embarked about eleven o'clock from the Maldon
siding, close to the railway station, on board the barge "William Davis," which
was drawn by a couple of horses, the helmsman being Mr. Lewis Hansell. Our
veteran Essex Naturalist, Mr. Joseph Clarke, of Saffron Walden, was on the
platform to meet some of the party, and to wish us bon voyage. The weather
was delightful, and the barge being most comfortably fitted up, and flowers and
other natural history objects fairly abundant, the novel "Field Meeting" was
thoroughly enjoyed by all privileged to take part in it.
Mr. President Fitch acted as skipper of the craft, and, on starting, read out
the humorous "sailing orders" he had prepared, printed copies of which had
been posted up on the awning.
A splendid view of Maldon was obtained as the craft passed under the
railway bridge, and there were some grand stretches of river scenery, the banks
abounding with flowers. Eleven locks had to be ascended, namely—Beeleigh,
Ricketts, Hoe Mill, Rushes, Little Baddow Mill, Paper Mill, Stonehams, Cuton,
Sandford Mill, Barnes Mill, and the Upper Lock.
On the voyage the parishes of Heybridge, St. Peter's Maldon, Langford,
Ulting, Woodham Walter, Hatfield Peverel, Little Baddow, Danbury, Boreham,
Sandon, Great Baddow, Springfield, and Chelmsford were touched or traversed.
The most noticeable features passed en route were Beeleigh Weir and Mill, the
Speeney, Sugar Bakers' Hoe (where the old Sugar Mill formerly stood), All