THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 221
to be a paradise for tree and flower lovers. Magnificent specimens of
the three Cedars (Cedar of Lebanon, Deodar and Atlantic Cedar) were
to be seen in juxtaposition, and our host pointed out a fine American
Hickory (Carya sp.) on the lawn, which was curiously examined. The
nearby garden of Stockwell Hall was also visited.
Little Burstead Church (St. Mary's) was the next point of call, time
allowing of but a hasty inspection, however. Three scratch-dials by the
S. door (now covered by a later porch) were noted, and the cut brick
tracery to the Perpendicular E. window admired.
By more field-paths and lane Great Burstead was reached and St.
Mary Magdalen's Church inspected. The 17th century reredos, removed
here from the destroyed Church of St. Christopher-le-Stocks in London,
blocks the Tower Arch and is sadly out of place in a mediaeval village
church. The spandrils of the N. doorway show carving representing the
Annunciation, and the church possesses an excellent example of a 12th
century dug-out chest. Some of the earlier oak pews (15th century)
remain in the S. aisle. Some of the party visited the large grave of the
twenty-two German airmen who lost their lives when the Zeppelin was
brought down in flames in this parish in the early hours of 24th September,
1916; now these one-time enemies rest with the village folk in the church-
yard, alike "wrapt in God's peace."
The botanical results of the day's ramble were excellent, no fewer
than 175 species of wild flower being recorded ; in addition to those
already mentioned, may be noted Ranunculus arvensis, Polygala vulgaris,
Spergularia rubra, Linum catharticum, Ononis spinosa, Vicia tetrasperma,
Spiroea Filipendula, Alchemilla arvensis, Circaea lutetiana, Tragopogon
pratense, Centaurion umbellatum, Bartsia Odontites, Rhinanthus Crista-galli
and Allium vineale var. compactum.
FIELD-MEETING AT SOUTH BENFLEET,
HADLEIGH, &c. (764TH MEETING).
SATURDAY, 26TH SEPTEMBER, 1936.
A party of some 35 members and friends foregathered at Benfleet
station soon after 10.30 a.m. to find rain steadily falling and with the
prospect, happily soon dispelled, of an uncomfortable tramp in wet grass
throughout the day.
Some of the party ventured on to Canvey Island for a short search
for marsh plants and sea birds, others proceeded direct to Benfleet Church,
where by noon all were reassembled, and where the vicar, the Rev. Ralph
Gardner, surrounded by parish helpers decorating the church for harvest
thanksgiving, extended a very cordial welcome to the visitors. Mr.
Gardner favoured us with an interesting talk on the fabric, its history
and architectural features, calling special attention to the magnificent
late 15th century South Porch, the evidences of successive partial re-
building in Norman and later times, the somewhat unusual position of
the rood-stair, the series of consecration-crosses on the buttresses of the
W. Tower and the scratch-dial on the priest's doorway.
After a careful inspection of this very interesting church, the party
adjourned to the nearby Hoy Inn, an ancient hostelry dating from the