nRi:i)(;iN'(. i\ iiii: kivkr c:rouch. 



«3 



our enjoyment ; but the sea was calm — too calm, in fact— and the 

 process of examining the contents of trawl and dredge was carried 

 on under decidedly watery conditions. Most of the takings had 

 been already recorded on the previous occasion, but a few fresh 

 forms turned up ; and we saw, during the afternoon, a promise of 

 hope in a fine double rainbow. 





Oystek Pit, with Fi.agstakk and Miniature Cannon, on the Quay, Burnha.m. 



On returning, our host and his wife entertained us right well, and 

 then, though our garments were still moist, our spirits were not 

 aweary, and we trotted back the twelve miles to Maldon, with the 

 spolia opifua from the river bed. 



But before starting homeward, we had arranged to . have another 

 and a brighter day ; and had fixed the following Thursday for the 

 venture. Meanwhile, the violent and destructive gale of the 13th 

 had occurred, and throughout all the night of Wednesday there were 

 heavy winds and rain ; and on our arrival at the quay at Burnham 

 the river was very high with full tide, the wind blew hard, and the 

 water running with white-flecked waves. We soon boarded the 

 " Fame," however, and, hoisting sail, began another day's work. 

 Though the waters were rough, we kept the dredge and trawl down 

 nearly all the time, sailing between Fambridge and Cricksea Ferries. 

 On one occasion we nearly lost the trawl, and on another had a 

 narrow shave of running our bowsprit into a large stack barge of hay 

 and straw, which was moored off the shore. 



Taking all together, I think that our chief captures on both days 

 were of fish, of w'hich we got a large ([uantity. It Avas not these, 

 however, we went to collect ; but, as they belong to the Vertebrata, 



