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THE ESSEX NATURALIST
A small Common Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) was collected at the land-
ing stage opposite Skippers Island. It was kept alive and actively
pulsating for a further week in the laboratory. During lunch, which
was taken in the lee of the sea wall, Bernard Ward filled in some
time by giving a short talk on the life and work of Octavius Corder,
the 19th century Essex botanist who, in 1859, was responsible for the
discovery at Fyfield of the pea Lathyrus tuberosus. Mr Ward felt it
appropriate that members should be reminded of the centenary of the
find, especially as the plant was at that time in bloom. (It was a pre-war
custom of the Club for a member to give a short talk on a general
subject at outdoor meetings; Mr. Ward was reviving the custom).
Tea was taken in the pleasant surroundings of Skippers Island.
The profits therefrom being used to swell the funds of the newly-formed
Essex Naturalists' Trust Ltd.
Saturday, 11th July 1959
Joint meeting with the Kent Field Club to the chalk pits at Green-
hithe. Near Greenhithe station the party visited the locality where
Silene italica grows. Flowering had finished but there were plenty of
plants in fruit. We then went on to the seawall and saltings at Swans-
combe to examine the flora which included the grass Parapholis strigosa,
and also some Glaux maritima still in flower. After lunch we went into
the very thickly overgrown chalkpit where there is a flourishing colony
of Epipactis palustris. This was in perfect condition. In the pit also
were many shrubs of Sorbus intermedia. The next place visited was
the famous Barnfield Pit, where the Swanscombe skull was discovered
in 1935.
The party then went on to Swanscombe Park Wood, stopping en
route to look at several large plants of Astragalus glycyphyllos. The
chief interest there was a bank thick with Potentilla recta. The recent
dry weather had caused it to finish flowering earlier than usual, but
one good specimen in bloom was noted. The day was brought to a
conclusion by visiting stations of Verbascum lychnites and Euphorbia
virgata.
Eight Club members and six members of the Kent Field Club joined
the party, which was led by Mr. and Mrs. K. C. Side.
Saturday, 15th August 1959
Meeting to Blake's Wood and Lingwood Common. Although at the
height of the holiday season, 31 members came to this meeting lead by
Mr. W. R. Masefield. The weather was ideal, and after a few intro-
ductory remarks by the leader, members dispersed in groups to explore
Blake's Wood. This National Trust property includes a variety of
habitats supporting a large number of species of plant and animal life.
Lunch was taken in the wood, after which members began to explore.
Lingwood Common. This differs from the wood, and made a good
contrast with it. A small party went to see Little Baddow Church,
with its splendid mural of St. Christopher and the very fine oak
effigies.