THK ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 247 



is of great extent, and forms, united witli the bay, a roadstead for large sliijis 

 of war. 



While waiting at Harwich, Mr. E. M. Holmes made some observations on the 

 algse of the shore there, which will be found recorded in the present number of 

 the Essex Naturalist (see page 263). 



A run was also made by the steamer across the harbour to Felixstowe Pier, 

 where nearly an hour's stay was allowed, and where, on the shore, the botanists 

 were much interested in finding Zostera marina var. angustiftlia in flower and in 

 fruit, the furrowed seeds being almost as large as wheat kernels, while the 

 axillary flowers weie only to be seen by the slight thickening and by holding the 

 plant up to the light. 



The company saw the " Lord of the Isles " leave Harwich and a splendid 

 steamer belonging to the Wilson Line come in, and the journey home was made 

 in glorious weather, with the evening sunlight showing the scenery of the river- 

 side in its loveliest aspect. All were landed at Ipswich before seven o'clock, and 

 the party separatrd with mutual expressions of a hope that other meetings of a 

 similar kind would be held in future. 



E.XCURSION FROM MaLDON TO CHELMSFORD, ALONG THE BlACKWATEK 



AND Chelmer Navigation River. 



Saturday, August 8th, 1891. 



Directors— Tt.. A. FITCH, F.L.S , EDMUND DURRANT, WALTER CROUCH, F.Z.S., 



W. COLE, F.E.S., Dr. J. E. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and Dk. PEARL. 



The main object of this meeting was to afford opportunities for botanical, 

 entomological and conchological observations along the banks of the Chelmer 

 river, which was rendered navigable in 1797 b}' the setting up of numerous locks, 

 and making some cuts to avoid bends, &c. 



The principal arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Fitch and Durrant, 

 and they were admirably carried out in every detail. The members and visitors 

 (numbering about eighty) embarked about eleven o'clock from the Maldon 

 siding, close to the railway station, on board the barge "William Davis," which 

 was drawn by a couple of horses, the helmsman being Mr. Lewis Hansell. Our 

 veteran Essex Naturalist, Mr. Joseph Clarke, of Saffron Walden, was on the 

 platform to meet some of the party, and to wish us bon voyage. The weather 

 was delightful, and the barge being most comfortably fitted up, and flowers and 

 other natural history objects fairly abundant, the novel " Field Meeting " was 

 thoroughly enjoyed by all privileged to take part in it. 



Mr. President Fitch acted as skipper of the craft, and, on starting, read out 

 the humorous "sailing orders" he had prepared, printed copies of which had 

 been posted up on the awning. 



A splendid view of Maldon was obtained as the craft passed under the 

 railway bridge, and there were som.e grand stretches of river scenery, the banks 

 abounding with flowers. Eleven locks had to be ascended, namel}' — Beeleigh, 

 Ricketts, Eloe Mill, Rushes, Little Baddow Mill, Paper Mill, Stonehams, Cuton, 

 Sandford Mill, Barnes Mill, and the Upper Lock. 



On the voyage the parishes of Fleybridge, St. Peter's Maldon, Langford, 

 L'lting, Woodham Walter, Hatfield Peverel, Little Baddow, Danbury, Boreham, 

 Sandon, Great Baddow, Springfield, and Chelmsford were touched or traversed. 

 The most noticeable features passed en route were Beeleigh Weir and Mill, the 

 Speeney, Sugar Bakers' Hoe (where the old Sugar Mill formerly stood). All 



