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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Mr. W. Cole, in expressing the general regret at the absence of Dr.
Laver, took the occasion to thank Mr. Shenstone and Mr. Benham for the
care and trouble they had taken in arranging many of the details of the
meeting.
On the proposal of the President, votes of thanks were passed to Mr.
Webb and Mr. Shenstone for their communications, and to the Corporation
of Colchester, its officers, and the Colne Fishery Board, for their kindness
in lending the "Pyefleet," and for the facilities afforded for the meeting. The
President referred to the Corporation as one of the most ancient, and certainly
one of the best managed in the kingdom.
By the kindness of Mr. E. Newman, Manager of the Fisheries, specimens
were shown of oysters in various stages of growth, foreign as well as native,
and it was intimated that a series would be got together for the Club's
Museum. In reply to a question, Mr. Newman said that there were about
three millions of oysters then fattening in the grounds.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in rambling over the island, where
the oyster-pits were inspected, and details of the culture explained. The
View on Mersea, showing Entrance to the Blackwater Estuary.
(Drawn by H. A. Cole)
island is very rich in estuarine plants, and some magnificent patches were
seen of Golden Samphire (Inula crithmoides), Sea-Starwort (Aster tripolium),
Glasswort (Salicornia herbacea), Sea Purslane (Obione portulacoides), and species
of Atriplex. The Sea Lavender (Statice limonium) was in extreme abundance
and luxuriance, as was also the Seablite (Suaeda maritima.)
Before leaving Pewit Island tea was served in the packing-house, and
the tide being now at its lowest a return to Wivenhoe was not practicable ;
the landing was therefore at Brightlingsea, whence the party took the
train homeward?. The return journey was lengthened by a pleasant trip
down the Colne Estuary, as far almost as the mouth of the Blackwater. A
convenient concession was kindly made by the Great Eastern Railway Com-
pany, who caused the 7.10 up train from Clacton to call and take up at
Wivenhoe those of the party who were destined for London, and thus a long
and enjoyable day was afforded, all the arrangements for which passed off
without any hitch or mishap.