l68 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. — REPORTS OF MEETINGS. 



De Wintor.'s Mouse at Lexden. — Mr. Cole also exhibited two specimens- 

 of the Yellow-necked Mouse {Mus sylvaticus-wintoni) from Lexden, near Col- 

 chester. 



Essex Birds. —Mr. Cole also exhibited (i) the Red-throated Diver (Colymbus 

 septentriohaVis) ; (2) the Black-headed Gull [Larus ridibundus) ; and (3) the 

 Guillemot {Lomvia t roils), all from the estuary of the Thames, off Southend, 

 These were all presented in the flesh to the Museum by Mr. Sherrin. of Southend. 



Deep Boring at Ilford Gas Company's Works. — Mr. Walter Crouch, 

 F.Z.S., detailed some observations made at this boring. The notes were of a 

 preliminary nature, but Mr. Crouch promised more definite information later. 



A discussion took place in which the President, Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S., 

 Professor Meldola, F.R.S., Mr. John Spiller, F.I.C., Mr. E. T. Newton, F.R.S., 

 Mr. Reader and others took part, and Mr. Crouch replied. 



Large Bone of a Whale at Mountnessing, Essex. — Mr. Christy 

 exhibited, by the aid of the lantern, a photograph of a large bone which had for 

 many years reclined beside the font in Mountnessing Church. He had submitted 

 the photograph aud a description of the bone to Mr. E. T. Newton, F.R.S. , 

 who was present. It had been put down in the Guide-books as an Elephant's or 

 Mammoth's bone, but Mr. Newton was of opinion that it had belonged to a 

 Whale — probably the rib of a Sperm Whale (Physeter) or to a Rorqual 

 (Balcznoptera), perhaps brought as an offering from some whaling ship in the 

 Thames. 1 



Bone " Needle." — Mr. H. Mothersole exhibited acurious object resembling 

 a bone '• needle," which had been found in an excavation at Chelmsford. Mr. 

 F. W. Reader made some remarks on this specimen, but these are reserved 

 until a figure and further details can be given. 



Remarks by the President, and Paper on Salt-making in Essex. — 

 Before reading his paper the President made a few general observations on the 

 work of the Club. Pie considered that they continued fully to justify their 

 existence as a county society ; the work done, and progress made during the past 

 year had been very considerable. The Essex Museum of Natural History was 

 developing rapidly, and he particularly called attention to the growing collection 

 of British Mammals, which when completed, would be a very remarkable feature, 

 and one indeed almost unique among the local museums of this country. 

 Under Mr. T. W. Reader's skilful and persevering efforts our library is being 

 rapidly put into order, and promises to become of considerable importance as a 

 collection of books relating to our special subjects. 



The papers and lectures have been as numernus as usual, and although some 

 of them have been of a general nature, there is no fear of the supply of original 

 papers relating to the natural history and archaeology of Essex falling short. 



One very important matter which is now engaging the attention of friends of 

 the Club is the necessity of gaining new members. To our great regret many 

 old and esteemed members have died within the last few years, and it is a prime 

 necessity that their vacant places should be filled up by persons taking an equally 

 warm interest in the Society. It is to be hoped that the recently-established 

 Year Book, although a somewhat costly item, will aid in attracting members, 



1 In the Strand Magazine for May, 1906. is a photograph of a similar rib, still to be seen 

 in St. Mary's Redcliffe Church. Bristol. Legend has it that this is a rib of the celebrated 

 Dun Cow, which supplied all the parish with her milk in the days long ago. 



