NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
233
The lecture was illustrated by a long series of photographic lantern-
slides lent by Dr. Mills, and the C. and P. Railway Company, which
enabled Mr. Meldola's descriptions of the magnificent and varied scenery of
the long journey of 3,000 miles, to be realised by his audience.
Prof. Meldola was cordially thanked for his address on the proposal of
the President, who made some appreciative remarks on the same.
Mr. T. S. Dymond, F.I.C, then read two papers, one on "Mangani-
ferous Conglomerate in Essex," and the other on "Fresh-Water Chalk,"
the latter paper being written in co-operation with Mr. F. W. Maryon.
The papers were illustrated by photographic slides of the maps of the
districts, &c., and by specimens of the minerals. The authors were thanked
for the papers, (which will appear in the Essex Naturalist,) and the meeting
came to an end.
The Supper was served in the great room of the Hotel : 49 members and
friends sat down, the President being in the chair, supported by the Treasurer
and the Hon. Secretaries, and the vice-chairs were filled by Prof. Meldola,
Prof. Boulger, Mr. Walter Crouch, and Mr. T. V. Holmes, all Vice-Presidents
of the Club.
A very pretty menu-card, with a view of Connaught Water, showing
Queen Elizabeth's Lodge in the distance, had been designed specially for the
occasion by Mr. H. A. Cole.
Only two toasts were given by the President, "Her Majesty the Queen
and "Prosperity to the Essex Field Club."
During the evening, exhibits were shown by the Canadian and Pacific
Railway Company, by Messrs. Watson and Sons, of Sciagraphs, by Mr.
Freshwater, of some very fine micro-photographs, and Mr. C. E. Benham, of
Colchester, brought up some of his recent results in experimenting with
diffraction colours, varnish films, the spectrum-top, &c.
Although not so numerously attended as could be wished, the experiment
may be considered a success ; it will be a matter for consideration before next
winter whether London would not be the most convenient place for the
supper for the majority of the members.
NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
ZOOLOGY.
MAMMALIA.
Slaughter of Otters at Manningtree and Brightlingsea.—Mr.
Porter, a local fisherman, shot a handsome dog otter on the tidal water of the
River Stour, at Manningtree, on November nth, 1897. It measured 511/2
inches, and weighed 291/4 pounds. The capture of another specimen is thus
recorded in the County Standard of December 18th :—"As Mr. F. W.
Bacon, of Morses Farm, Brightlingsea, was snipe shooting on Dec. nth on
his marshes, his little fox terrier on approaching some bushes, became very
excited and at once entered, when out jumped a large otter into the water,
which is very shallow just there and full of reeds, the little dog following.
Then commenced a tussel, and seeing the otter was having the best of it Mr.
Bacon was obliged to shoot it. On pulling it out of the water it was found