254 



THE ESSEX FIELD CLUIi. 



The voyage came to an end at Springfield Wha'f, near Chelmsford, and the 

 company separated, after hearty congratulations and thanks to Mr. Fitch and 

 Mr. Durrant, and well pleased with a delightful day. 



Field Meeting at St. Osyth and Brightlingsea. 

 Monday, September yih. 1891. 



BRK;HTLINr,SEA HARBOUR AND MoUTH OF THE CoLNE, WITH MaRTELLO ToWER, No. I. 



{From a Sketch by H. .\. Cole, Aus^ust, iSSo.) 



Favoured by glorious weather a large number of members and friends made 

 an expedition into this interesting district, under the direction of Mr. C. E. 

 Benham, Mr. J. C. Shenstone, and Prof. Boulger ; Dr. Laver, whose name was 

 on the programme, being unavoidably absent by reason of professional engage- 

 ments. Members assembled at Thorington Station about 12.15, many coming 

 from London, Colchester, Dovercourt, &c. The Secretary came over from 

 Mersea, the President from West Mersea, having reached there b)' water a few 

 days previously from Maldon, and Mr. Walter Crouch walked over from Bright- 

 lingsea. The business arrangements of the meeting had been kindly taken in 

 hand by Mr. C. E. Benham, and w'ere admirabl}' managed. 



As the London train travelled down, Prof. Boulger pointed out some plants 

 on the railway banks — Solidago virgaurea, at Brentwood, Evpatorhim cannahinum ^ 

 Lythrum salicaria and Alnus glutinosa, at Mark's Tey, and Epilobium angustifo'ium 

 on the banks at Brentwood and Wj'venhoe. 



Leaving Thorington the party proceeded in brakes to St. Osyth, through most 

 charming flower-decked lanes, the openings in the luxuriant hedgerows affording 

 delightful glimpses of fields, meadows and woodlands, diversified with pretty 

 homesteads and picturesque farm buildings. At Thorington a halt was made 

 to inspect the remarkable oak trees (the pedunculate oak) of enormous girth 

 near Thorington Church. These trees, with a circumference round the bole vary- 



