THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 149
VISIT TO CANVEY ISLAND, ESSEX.
Saturday, June 15TH, 1901.
This meeting was planned to continue the survey of Canvey Island,
following up that held on June 30th last year (see report in Essex
Naturalist, Vol. xi pp. 261-264, where a sketch of the geology of the
district by T. V. Holmes, F.G.S., will be found). On the former occasion the
island was approached from the sea front, but on this, the assembling-place
was the old village of Benfleet, and the time, noon.
The conductors were Dr. James Murie, LL.D., F.L.S.. Prof. G. S.
Boulger, F.L.S., the President, and the Hon. Secretary. The tide was up at
Benfleet, and the party was ferried across by the old boatman. Some of the
party walked through the island ; others were carried in a very primitive cart
which had been hastily fitted up for their accommodation. During the
ramble the botanists and entomologists were busy determining the plants
and insects met with. Caterpillars were plentiful and Clisiocampa lanestris
and C. neustria were again met with commonly. The fine large larvae
of Gastropacha quercifolia were found on the blackthorns, and the pretty cater-
pillars of Trichiura crataegi were seen. On the grass, the handsome larvae of
Bombyx quercus were often observed. Members of the party had brought
luncheons with them, so that no time was lost in getting on to the sea wall.
It was a very regrettable sight to find Canvey in the hands of the speculative
land-jobber—most of the island bordering the estuary is being parcelled out in
small plots, for the erection of bungalows, and the prospective creation of a
"Canvey-on-Sea." We fear that Canvey, as a locality for many good insects
and uncommon seaside plants, is doomed to be "improved away."
On the coast the botanists found ample employment. The characteristic
and deeply interesting maritime plants afforded Prof. Boulger texts for short
demonstrations. The beautiful Yellow-horned Poppy (Glaucium luteum) was
in abundance, but will probably soon be a joy of the past in view of the
tribes of children invading its sandy haunts. Dr. Murie pointed out the
salient features of the geology of the coast line, particulars of which were
amplified in his address delivered later in the afternoon.
Many members came down by a later train, and quite a large party-
gathered for tea in one of the more spacious bungalows, the caterers being
the "Hoy" Inn, Benfleet.
Afterwards a meeting was held, Prof. Meldola, President, in the chair.
Prof. Boulger gave a short address on "Estuarine Flowering Plants,
with special reference to the coast of Essex "the main substance of which is
embodied in the paper on "Sea-side Plants" printed in the present part
(ante pp. 125-27).
Dr. Murie delivered, viva voce, an address on "Canvey in its relation to
the Thames Estuary and marine life around." [Dr. Murie has promised to
prepare the substance of this most interesting address as a paper for the
Essex Naturalist, but pressure of other work has delayed this up to the
time of going to press.]
The President made some remarks on the subjects taken by both