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and are best seen by cutting a fruit across
and observing it with a lens.
The Perennial Wall Rocket (Diplotaxis
tenuifolia) was found with its characteristic
unpleasant smell when crushed, which can be
further identified from its near relatives
by its fruit having a stalk between the sepal
scars and the base of the fruit. An interesting
spurge which is called Euphorbia esula in the
third edition of the Excursion Flora also grew
here. However, my lasting memory of the area
was a considerable region of scrub populated
by Danewort and Bladder Senna (Colutea
arborescens). Our thanks go to the leader
Ken Adams for organising the meeting, despite
a poisoned foot on the day.
Tony Boniface
N.B. The uncommon grass Hard Fescue (Festuca
longifolia) was also found on the sewer, although
I regret to say I missed it.
Chelmer/Blackwater Canal and Ulting Pits
31st August, 1983
This outing, billed as a dragonfly excursion
proved to be encouragingly well attended.
Starting out at Ulting Bridge, we spent the
morning exploring the banks of the Chelmer/
Blackwater Canal, as well as the margins of
adjacent flooded pits. The very common
'blue-tailed' damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
was our first discovery, and continued to cause
trouble throughout the day by virtue of its
rather bewildering variety of colour forms.