THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
291
include them in the English molluscan fauna and noted that all
attempts to obtain additional examples had failed.5 Since the
figure of Rissoa castanea somewhat resembled Paludestrina jenkinsi
there seemed a probability that the former might be represented in
the Jeffreys' collection now at Washington, U.S.A. Examples
of the latter were accordingly forwarded to Dr. W. H. Dall, who
most kindly replied that there were no examples of Rissoa castanea,
Jeffreys, in that collection, but there were two examples, agreeing
in every respect with the specimens of Paludestrina jenkinsi forwarded,
which were labelled :—"Hydrobia ferrusina, Hampshire, Sowerby."
There can be no doubt that these are the shells which Jeffreys
states had been sent to him some years ago by the late G. B.
Sowerby from that county.6 We have thus conclusive proof
that Paludestrina jenkinsi had been examined by Dr. Jeffreys and
misidentified.
When we noted this in the Proc. Malac. Soc, Lond., vol. iii.,
p. 299, Canon R. M. Norman informed us that he had in
his possession four examples given to him by Mr. Pickering
as Rissoa castanea, and most kindly forwarded the specimens
for our inspection. Of these, two were slender examples of
Paludestrina ventrosa and two P. jenkinsi. Additional proof is
thus furnished that the shell has been both overlooked and
mis-identified.
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
PRACTICAL DREDGING AND TRAWLING
EXCURSIONS.
Friday and Saturday, July 20th and 21st, 1900.
For some time past it has been recognised that if any real and rapid
advance is desired in the knowledge of the Fauna of our Essex coast line,
systematic attempts must be made to collect, determine and register the
species occurring. And now that the Club has a permanent County Museum,
such work is still more desirable, in order to stock the Museum with an
authentic series of specimens.
The Council therefore authorised the Curator to make a beginning in this
work, and the Colne Estuary and outlying waters was chosen as the scene of
the first attempts. Arrangements were made, by the kindness of Messrs.
Forrestt and Son, for the hire of a small steamer, with dredger-man and
tackle, so that operations may be carried on at some distance from the shore
(the Wallet and like waters).
5 British Conchology, vol. i., pp. 68-9.
6 Ibid, p. 69.