246 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUK. 



Dr. Ta3-Ior then briefly described the various forms of animal li.'e dredged up 

 during the morning, taking as his texts the numerous specimens in the bottles 

 and jars on the deck. Nearly every conspicuous species mentioned in the above 

 lists was attended to, and many very interesting remaiks were made on the 

 details of their structure or life-histor3\ 



Dr. Taylor's remarks were highly appreciated by the company ; and then Mr. 

 Walter Crouch, upon the invitation of the former, said a few words about the 

 shells, referring more particularly to monster Almond Whelks (^Fusus tiorvegicus'), 

 which had been brought to the Orwell with oyster spat from the Dogger Bank. 



Mr. E. A. Fitch, as President of the Club, proposed a comprehensive vote 

 of thanks. First of all, he said the Essex Field Club felt indebted to the Ipswich 

 people for suppoiting such a splendid Museum as that over which Dr. Taylor 

 presided. The collection there of fossils illustrating the Red Crag, both of Suffolk 

 and Essex, was, perhaps, one of the best in the country ; and the graphic demon- 

 stration by the Curator, to which they had listened on the previous night, alone 

 repaid a visit to the town. During the whole of that Excursion, moreover, 

 the Doctor had been always demonstrating and answering the many questions of 

 inquiring friends, and to him their thanks were in the first place due. They had 

 also to most warmly thank the members of the Ipswich Scientific Society for 

 the reception given them, Mr. G. H. Hewetson and Mr. W. Cole for their hard 

 work as Secretaries, and Mr. Frank Woolnough for the excellent manner in which 

 the Excursion had been organised. 



Mr. H. Miller, jun., on seconding the motion, said he hoped there would be 

 another joint Excursion next year in some part of Essex, and that Dr. Taylor 

 would again be present with them. 



The motion was carried by acclamation, and Dr. Taylor, in repl}-, said that he 

 was always happy to do what he could to assist naturalist students. 



A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr. W. Jolly for his courteous assistance 

 in superintending the dredging operations. 



In other ways than those strictly scientific, the Excursion was very much 

 enjoyed. Luncheon and tea were served on board by Mr. James Hardwick, of 

 the "Queen Street Restaurant," and these important arrangements were well 

 carried out under the personal supervision of Mrs. Hardwick. The veteran 

 Captain Mills was anxious to please his visitors, and was most successful in his 

 efforts ; and the crew and dredgermen were most helpful in assisting the various 

 efforts of the naturalists. 



A short run was taken up the Stour to Parkeston. The Stour is celebrated as 

 certainly the most beautiful of Essex rivers. Constable was born upon its margin, 

 and the charms of its scenery made a deep impression on his mind and works. 

 " I associate," he said, "m}' careless boyhood with all that lies on the banks of the 

 Stour ; these scenes made me a painter, and I am grateful." Unfortunately, the 

 river not being navigable far from its mouth for a vessel like ours, the scenes of 

 Constable's labours were reserved for another visit to the Stour. 



At Harwich some of the members were landed, in order to catch an earlier 

 train home, and spent some time in viewing the town, perhaps, historical!}', tlie 

 most interesting port in Essex, which was long the chief point of communication 

 between England and Holland. It was a very earl)' settlement ; the remains of 

 a camp may still be traced to the south, and Roman relics have been found in 

 and about the town. It had early acquired such maritime importance as to be 

 able, in 1347, to furnish fourteen ships to the fleet of Edward 111. The harbour 



