THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. I^g 



VISIT TO CANVEY ISLAND, ESSEX. 



Saturday, June 15TH, 1901. 



This meeting was planned to continue the survey of Canvey Island, 

 following up that held on June 30th last year (see report in Essex 

 Naturalist, Vol. xi pp. 261-264, where a sketch of the geology of the 

 district by T. V. Holmes, F.G.S., will be found). On the former occasion the 

 island was approached from the sea front, but on this, the assembling-place 

 was the old village of Benfieet, and the time, noon. 



The conductors were Dr. James Murie, LL.D., F.L.S.. Prof. G. S. 

 Boulger, F.L.S., the President, and the Hon. Secretary. The tide was up at 

 Benfleet, and the party was ferried across by the old boatman. Some of the 

 party walked through the island ; others were carried in a very primitive cart 

 which had been hastily fitted up for their accommodation. During the 

 ramble the botanists and entomologists were busy determining the plants 

 and insects met with. Caterpillars were plentiful and Clisincantpa lanestyis 

 and C. neusti'ia were again met with commonly. The fine large larvae 

 of Gastfopacha quercifjUa were found on the blackthorns, and the pretty cater- 

 pillars of Tyichiura cratcegi were seen. On the grai.s, the handsome larvae of 

 Bombyx qiiercus were often observed. Members of the party had brought 

 luncheons with them, so that no time was lost in getting on to the sea wall. 

 It was a very regrettable sight to find Canvey in the hands of the speculative 

 land-jobber — most of the island bordering the estuary is being parcelled out in 

 small plots, for the er'jction of bungalows, and the prospective creation of a 

 " Canvey-on-Sea." We fear that Canvey, as a locality for many good insects 

 and uncommon seaside plants, is doomed to be " improved away." 



On the coast the botanists found ample employment. The characteristic 

 and deeply interesting maritime plants afforded Prof. Boulger texts for short 

 demonstrations The beautiful Yellow-horned Poppy {Glaucium luteum) was 

 in abundance, but will probably soon be a joy of the past in view of the 

 tribes of children invading its sandy haunts. Dr. Murie pointed out the 

 salient features of the geology of the coast line, particulars of which were 

 amplified in his address delivered later in the afternoon. 



Many members came down by a later train, and quite a large party 

 gathered for tea in one of the more spacious bungalows, the caterers being 

 the " Hoy" Inn. Benfleet. 



Afterwards a meeting was held. Prof. Meldola, President, in the chair. 



Prof. Boulger gave a short address on " Estuarine Flowering Plants, 

 with special reference to the coast of Essex " the main substance of which is 

 embodied in the paper on " Saa-side Plants" printed in the present part 

 {ante pp. 125-27). 



Dr. Murie delivered, viva voce, an address on " Canvey in its relation to 

 the Thames Estuary and marine life around." [Dr. Murie has promised to 

 prepare the substance of this most interesting address as a paper for the 

 Essex Naturalist, but pressure of other work has delayed this up to the 

 time of going to press.] 



The President made some remarks on the subjects taken by both 



