c Journal of Proceedings.
the Common Snake (Natrix torquata, Ray) at Stokes Hall, Althorne,
near Maldon. It measured forty-seven and a-half inches long. He
added that " our Ophidians seem to be unusually abundant this year.
On two consecutive Sundays in April, thirty-six Adders were killed on
Danbury Common, several of them being, I am told, quite a yard in
length. Mr. Herbert recorded a Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), measuring
seventeen and a-half inches in length, as having been caught at Southend
in May last."
Mr. Fitch also sent a notice of the occurrence of a fine specimen of
the "Angel-fish" (Squalus squatina), which was left stranded by the
tide on the evening of May 9th last, in a small rill in the " Brick House "
Saltings at Maldon. It measured nine feet six inches in length, and its
mouth, when extended, measured sixteen and a-half inches by twelve
and a-half inches. The lateral " pockets " were exceedingly well developed,
and it was called the " Pocket-fish " by the natives. The fish was reported
to have weighed over one hundredweight.
Mr. Smith sent notes on Sandstone and Conglomerate Blocks at
Orsett and White Notley [see ' Essex Naturalist,' i., p. 8].
Prof. Boulger exhibited specimens of the " graft-hybrid" of the
Common Garden Laburnum-tree, known as Cytisus laburnum-adami,
which was growing very freely in a garden at Buckhurst Hill, and
which was of great interest to the physiological botanist.
Mr. B. G. Cole exhibited living specimens of Allacus crecopia, one of
the large Silk-worm Moths (Bombrycidae) from North America, which
he had bred from pupa; sent from thence.
Mr. Shenstone read a paper, " Report on the Flowering Plants grow-
ing in the neighbourhood of Colchester " [see ' Essex Naturalist,' i., pp.
22-35]. The paper was illustrated by specimens from the author's
herbarium, and by some excellent photographs (by Mr. Woollett, of Col-
chester) of old oak-trees at Thurrington Hall, their trunks measuring
from twenty-seven feet to thirty feet in circumference.
Prof. Boulger said that Mr. Shenstone's paper was one of consider-
able importance, not only for the information it contained, but also as an
example to other botanical workers. He referred to the danger, among
local naturalists, of desiring to record new species and varieties, without
careful examination both of the specimens themselves and of all the cir-
cumstances of their occurrence. They should be especially careful as to
plants found near spots where formerly there might have been cottage
gardens or other enclosures. He believed that Gibson had not been very
well supplied with information from the Colchester district, and the
locality, indeed, appeared to have been very little worked.
Prof. Boulger also remarked that Mr. Shenstone had not recorded
the Mistletoe as growing in his province, although it was a plant for
which Essex was popularly believed to be specially celebrated.
Mr. Shenstone, in replying, said that he had not seen the Mistletoe
in the district, except under cultivation.