236 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
excavations which it is hoped to undertake are commenced. The ancient
Chapel looks safe and well cared-for as a result of these renovations.
It was with regret that the vicinity of the Chapel was left, for the salt
marshes stretching away to the sea whence came the cry of the Redshank
seemed to offer much of interest; but it was already nearing five o'clock so
members were re-embarked in the coaches which forthwith set out for tea at
Mayland.
After the meal had been enjoyed with appetites sharpened by a day in
the open air the usual formal meeting was held with the President, Mr. L. S.
Harley, in the chair. The Chairman began by welcoming the visitors, re-
ferring especially to those who were from overseas. The following were
elected to membership of the Club:
Mr. W. B. Broughton, B.Sc, of 15, Woodlands Gardens, Woodford
New Road, E.18.
Miss D. M. Dugard, of 56, Mount Pleasant Road, Chigwell.
Mrs. B. Dyce, of 45, Norbury Crescent, Norbury, S.W.16.
Miss J. Fullerton, of Copsefield, Woodford Road, Woodford, E.18.
Mr. C. Mortlock, of 335, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E.17.
Mr. F. E. Preston, D.O.M.S., of Woodthorpe, St. Mary's Avenue,
Wanstead, E.11.
Miss A. M. Redit, of 56, Mount Pleasant Road, Chigwell.
The President expressed his gratification at the election of such a goodly
number of new members and then thanked Mrs. Rainier and the Excursions
Secretaries for the arrangements which they had made to ensure the success
of the day. He then called on various members to comment on the observa-
tions made.
Mr. Howard spoke of the botanical finds and said that, although it was
rather late in the season for flowering plants, the opportunity for observing
the salt marsh flora was much appreciated particularly as it was not often
available to him. An interesting fungus which had been found was Cruci-
bulum vulgare, one of the "bird's nest" fungi.
Mr. Syms gave an account of the insects seen which included, in spite of
the inclement weather, one specimen of each of Painted Lady, Red Admiral
and Clouded Yellow butterflies, various beetles which needed further investi-
gation before naming and a specimen of the Stable Fly which was captured
in the coach. This insect is often mistaken for the House Fly but it can and
does bite whereas the latter cannot. A single nest of larvae of Brown Tail
Moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) was found upon Elm.
Mrs. Rainier commented on the birds, remarking that nothing unusual
had been seen except a bird which might have been a Rustic Bunting.
The President commented upon the archaeology and expressed the
hope that it might be possible for the Club to help in some way with the
excavations it was proposed to carry out at the chapel of St. Peter-ad-
muram.
The meeting closed at 7 p.m. and the members emerged from the cosy
tea room into a night which had grown very dark, to grope their way to the
coaches for the journey home to Woodford.
Mr. Howard reports that forty-seven species of flowering plants were
recorded during the day. Of these the maritime species were of the greatest
interest and these included Sea Campion (Silene maritima), Sea Aster
(Aster Tripolium), Sea Lavender (Limonium vulgare), Sea Beet (Beta
maritima), Sea Purslane (Atriplex portulacoides), Shrubby Seablite (Suaeda
fruticosa)—in abundant and vigorous growth—Seablite (S. maritima),
Glasswort (Salicornia herbacea), S. ramosissima, Artemisia maritima,
Scirpus maritimus, and Cordgrass (Spartina stricta). At St. Peter's Chapel,
Small Nettle (Urtica urens) was seen. Many of these species were bearing
fruit only.