llli: KSSEX 1-lKl.D CI.UB. 243 



ihe oyster-Leds in the river. Of these, two exceedingly fine varieties of the 

 beautiful sea-anemone, Bunodes (Tealia) crassicornis, at once attracted attention ; 

 and the white and orange-coloured specimens of Alcyonium digitatum^ or " dead- 

 man's fingers," with their crowd of translucent extended polypes, each with eight 

 feathery tentacles. Crawling on the sides of the glass vessels were two specimens 

 of the Gastropod, Philine aperta, whose delicate shells are concealed beneath the 

 mantle lobes ; and the little Top-shell, Trochus cinerarius, but both of these had 

 been recorded in the previous year's excursion (see Essex NATURALIST, vol. iv., 

 p. 171). 



On leaving Ipswich, the walls of the quay were observed lobe lined with green 

 Alg:c of a filamentous character, probably (Mr. E. M. Holmes suggested) consist- 

 ing of species of Urospora and Enteromorpha^ and possibly (in the darker patches) 

 of Osci/laria, Lynghya and Protococcus, but neither time nor opportunity permitted 

 of their examination. 



The weather was rather dull and cold as the " Stour " dropped down the river, 

 under the command of Captain Mills, and it remained so during the greater part 

 of the day. 



The reader is referred to the report of the previous dredging meeting on June 

 i4ih, 1890, in tlie Essex Naturalist (vol. iv., pp. 169-173), for much interesting 

 information on the natural history of the estuary of the Stour. The methods of 

 working were the same as on the first visit ; but a greater number of large 

 clear-glass bottles and small aquaria having been provided than on the previous 

 occasion, the members were enabled to view the various animals brought up with 

 ease and minuteness. Microscopes and hand lenses were provided for this 

 purpose. Mr. W. Jolly (the lessee of the Orwell Oyster Fishery) again gave 

 permission for dredging in his waters, and rendered most valuable assistance. 



The first cast of the dredge was made on the VVoolverstone Park side of the 

 river, just beyond the Cat House, and this haul (and subsequent casts both in the 

 Orwell and Stour) brought up an abundance of the POLYZOAN, Akyonidium 

 gtlatinosum, or " Barley Sugar," on which were thickly sprinkled young specimens 

 of a mollusc allied to the periwinkle, Lacuna crasswr, with the epidermis of the 

 shell drawn up into ridges. On the same Polyzoan, and also on the siliceous 

 sponge, Chalina oculata, were crowds of the small scarlet and white skeleton 

 Crustacean, Caprella linearis^ both male and female. Other Crustaceans 

 observed were N)mphon gracilis (in good numbers), Eiipagurus bertihardus (in 

 Buccinum shells), Nyas araneus, Carcitius mcenas (abundant, as usual) ; of Pallene 

 brevirostris Mr. Fitch recorded one specimen, &c. 



Of other POLVZOA, some specimens of Bugula avicularia and Metnhranipora 

 pilosa were noticed investing the algae ; and on dead shells, species of Eschara 

 and Lepralia. 



A few forms of the TuNlCATA, or " Sea Squirts," were brought up — Botiyllns, 

 Cynthia and Ascidium ; among the latter, A. intestinalis, with almost transparent 

 gelatinous tunic, which was fairly abundant, and generally attached to dead 

 shells of Tapes, &c. 



Among the Sea Anemones were many free-swimming Ilyant'ms scoticus and 

 specimens of another species that comes nearest to Edwardsia callintorpha, and 

 another small sage green species with yellow furrows that seems to come near 

 Gregoria fenestrata ; it was attached to seaweeds, especially Laminaria and Fucus. 



The Medus.E (HyproZOA) included Amelia aiirita, and one specimen of 

 Cydippe pomiformis \ and the division Hydromeduscc' was represented by 



