ANNUM. RKI'ORT OF THK ESSEX FIELD CI.UB. 35 



The President nominated the following as \'ice-Presidents during his year of 

 office: Messrs. K. \. Buxton, J. P., Aldm., C.C, Walter Crouch, F.Z.S., Henry 

 Laver, M.R.C.S., F.L.S., F.S.A,, and the Right Hon. Lord Rayleigh, F.R.S. 



The Librarian announced the additions to the Library b}- gift, purchase and 

 exchange, and thanks were \oted to the donors. 



Prof. Meldola called attention to the work of the Committee appointed by the 

 liritish Association " to report upon the application of photography to the 

 elucidation of meteorological phenomena, and to collect any photographs of such 

 phenomena." He distributed copies of the circular issued by the Committee, and 

 hoped that all members who were practical photographers would aid inithe work. 



Mr. Fitch read a paper entitled "A Day on the Crouch River," being an 

 account of a day's " fishing " with a trawl-net in company with Mr. Crouch last 

 summer. In illustration of the paper were exhibited preserved specimens of the 

 species obtained, comprising Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Sponges, &c. 

 Many of the species had never before been recorded from Essex, thus showing that 

 there was plenty of work for the members to do in the department of marine zoology. 



Prof. Meldola, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Fitch, said that he looked 

 upon the paper as quite a typical one for a Naturalists' societ)- — it was a careful 

 record of actual work done and observations made in their own district, and he 

 should like to see more papers of the kind communicated to the Club. 



Mr. Crouch read " Notes on a Female Specimen of the Common Rorqual 

 (Balcenoptera musculus) lately stranded near Burnham, with remarks on the 

 Balasnopteridas (Finner Whales)." In illustration of the paper Mr. Crouch showed 

 a long series of drawings, diagrams and prints, and Mr. A. P. Wire also showed 

 some drawings. 



Remarks on the paper were made by Mr. Gillham, Mr. A. C. Freeman, tl e 

 President, &c., and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the author. 



The Secretary read for Mr. J. French a paper entitled " Notes on the la'c 

 prolonged Frost," upon which a short discussion arose, carried on b}' Prof. Meldola, 

 Mr. Wire, Mr. Filch, and others, the latter reminding members that such notes 

 were just the kind of communications they desired for the Essex Naturalist. 



The introductory portions of an elaborate paper on "The Cryptogamic Flora 

 of Kelvedon and its neighbourhood ; compiled from the collections and notes 

 made during half a century by the late E. G. Varenne," was read for Mr. Marquand 

 (see ante, pp. I-30), by the Secretary, who referred to the very valuable character 

 of the paper, and moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Marquand for the 

 trouble he had taken in compiling the lists. 



A very large number of specimens, drawings, photographs, &c., were exhibited 

 by Mr. Crouch, Mr. Fitch, Mr. Wire and others, and the usual service of light 

 refreshment brought the meeting to a close. 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE 

 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31st, 1890. 



\,Rcaci and adopted at the Annual Mectiiif;, an January Jist, iSgi.] 

 The Council is glad to report that the considerable accession of new members 

 which commenced some few years back still continues, and more than compen- 

 sates for the usual number of resignations and removals from various causes. 

 During the past year 43 persons have joined the Cliih. Ilniii the Council 



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