292 THK ESSEX FIF.LD CLUB. 



It was believed that many members and friends would desire to join in 

 the Excursions, which it was foreseen would prove very pleasant and instruc- 

 tive even to those not specially interested in Marine Zoology. Unfortunately 

 the first excursions of the series, although very carefully planned, were poorly 

 attended, perhaps owing to several adverse circumstances. In the first place 

 the excursions had been originally fixed tor June 29th and 30th, but in conse- 

 quence of the stormy weather pre\ailing at that time, they were postponed. 

 The annual exodus of our members from home appeared to have taken place 

 earlier than usual, and the Secretaries experienced much disappointment from 

 this cause. Howbeit the weather proved to be fine, the sea rather rough on 

 the first day, but on the second all that could be desired, and in almost every- 

 thing but the attendance the experiment was successful. 



As the work had a definite object, and the accommodation deemed 

 limited (in anticipation of a numerous company) some rules were laid down 

 for shipping the "crew." No catering on board was undertaken, but a 

 tariff had been arranged at two hotels at Brightlingsea. All arrangements 

 were " wind and weather permitting " and no responsibility on this score 

 could be admitted by the conductors. As the main purpose of these excur- 

 sions is the collecting of specimens, the rules stated that all objects obtained 

 would be the property of the Club. Duplicates would, however, be distri- 

 buted to students and others. As it is intended to arrange similar excursions 

 in the future, it may be as well to mention these details. 



The steamer " \Vy\ern ' started each day from Brightlingsea at about 

 II o'clock. On board besides the sailors, was an expert dredgerman specially 

 engaged, with dredging and trawling tackle, and an ample supply of bottles, 

 dishes, and tubes, and preservative fluids for the conservation of specimens. 

 In the absence of any person more highly qualified, Mr. W. Cole, F.L.S , 

 acted as Zoological " Conductor." On both days the " Wyvern '' steamed out 

 for a considerable distance, and the working of the trawl and dredge pro- 

 duced an abundance of specimens of the better-known organisms of our coast. 

 To many on board the work was both novel and interesting. But few species 

 actually new to the Conductor (who had frequently dredged over most of the 

 ground on previous occasions) were obtained, and as the nomenclature of 

 these is now being settled by the experts at Plymouth (at Dr. Sorby's request 

 in connection with his papers on the Essex Marine-Fauna to be published in 

 the Essex Naturalist) it will be best to postpone a scientific report. Most 

 of the specimens were carefully preserved, and are now in the Essex Museum. 

 The great value of formalin was again demonstrated, and the specimens of 

 " Medusai " preserved are wonderfully transparent and life-like. 



The expenses of the excursions were necessarily somewhat high, and 

 ware not met, as had been hoped, by a commensurate sale of tickets. But 

 there is no intention of relinquishing this interesting experiment, although 

 some changes in the business methods, and choice of vessel, &c., must be 

 made in the future to guard the Club against too great a loss. 



To those members who were too timid or undecided to take part in the 

 excursions, we can only say that thej- lost one of the most pleasant and 

 instructive meetings of the season ! 



