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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
It was believed that many members and friends would desire to join in
the Excursions, which it was foreseen would prove very pleasant and instruc-
tive even to those not specially interested in Marine Zoology. Unfortunately
the first excursions of the series, although very carefully planned, were poorly
attended, perhaps owing to several adverse circumstances. In the first place
the excursions had been originally fixed lor June 29th and 30th, but in conse-
quence of the stormy weather prevailing at that time, they were postponed.
The annual exodus of our members from home appeared to have taken place
earlier than usual, and the Secretaries experienced much disappointment from
this cause. Howbeit the weather proved to be fine, the sea rather rough on
the first day, but on the second all that could be desired, and in almost every-
thing but the attendance the experiment was successful.
As the work had a definite object, and the accommodation deemed
limited (in anticipation of a numerous company) some rules were laid down
for shipping the "crew." No catering on board was undertaken, but a
tariff had been arranged at two hotels at Brightlingsea. All arrangements
were "wind and weather permitting" and no responsibility on this score
could be admitted by the conductors. As the main purpose of these excur-
sions is the collecting of specimens, the rules stated that all objects obtained
would be the property of the Club. Duplicates would, however, be distri-
buted to students and others. As it is intended to arrange similar excursions
in the future, it may be as well to mention these details.
The steamer "Wyvern" started each day from Brightlingsea at about
11 o'clock. On board besides the sailors, was an expert dredgerman specially
engaged, with dredging and trawling tackle, and an ample supply of bottles,
dishes, and tubes, and preservative fluids for the conservation of specimens.
In the absence of any person more highly qualified, Mr. W. Cole, F.L.S,
acted as Zoological "Conductor." On both days the "Wyvern'' steamed out
for a considerable distance, and the working of the trawl and dredge pro-
duced an abundance of specimens of the better-known organisms of our coast.
To many on board the work was both novel and interesting. But few species
actually new to the Conductor (who had frequently dredged over most of the
ground on previous occasions) were obtained, and as the nomenclature of
these is now being settled by the experts at Plymouth (at Dr. Sorby's request
in connection with his papers on the Essex Marine-Fauna to be published in
the Essex Naturalist) it will be best to postpone a scientific report. Most
of the specimens were carefully preserved, and are now in the Essex Museum.
The great value of formalin was again demonstrated, and the specimens of
"Medusae" preserved are wonderfully transparent and life-like.
The expenses of the excursions were necessarily somewhat high, and
were not met, as had bean hoped, by a commensurate sale of tickets. But
there is no intention of relinquishing this interesting experiment, although
some changes in the business methods, and choice of vessel, &c., must be
made in the future to guard the Club against too great a loss.
To those members who were too timid or undecided to take part in the
excursions, we can only say that they lost one of the most pleasant and
instructive meetings of the season !