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NOTES OF TWO DAYS' TRAWLING AND
DREDGING IN THE RIVER CROUCH, OCT.
10th AND 15th, 1891.
By WALTER CROUCH, F.Z.S., Vice-President.
[Read March 19th, 1892.]
TRAWLING and dredging, whether in the deep and open sea,
off the coast, or in an estuary, is, at all times, an exhilarating
and fascinating occupation; and it is one of yet greater interest
when pursued in any locality from which but few records have been
made, such as the eastern coast-line of our own county.
There is abundance of labour, and often personal discomfort, in
the work; but the marine naturalist who loves "the inexpressible
sweetness of old ocean's breath," and the wondrous and beautiful
world of life which exists therein, can brave all this for the pleasure
of learning, and of beholding some of the secrets of the sea; for
"Only those who brave its dangers
Comprehend its mysteries."
But apart from the hard and often dirty work, must also be counted
the cost of purchasing or hiring craft, and the necessary appliances,
including the
"Naturalist's dredge, with its iron edge,
And its mystical triangle,
And its hided net, with meshes set,
Odd fishes to entangle."
This same question of cost has, no doubt, prevented many students
of biology from taking up the study, and working at marine forms.
Therefore, are our thanks especially due to our good friend,
Mr. John Rogers, of "Mangapp," Burnham, for again placing his
yacht "Fame," and its experienced crew, at our disposal, with the
necessary apparatus, and also a well-stocked basket of creature
comforts to help lighten the toil, and renew the strength. Thereby
Mr. E. A. Fitch and I had again the opportunity of working in the
Crouch and Roach Rivers; and he, having given us last year the
results of our one-day trip (see "A Day on the Crouch," Essex
Naturalist, vol. v., pp. 145-152), has left to me the honour of
preparing these notes of the two-days' cruise.
On the first day, we left Maldon early, and, as we passed near