THE ENTOMOLOGIST 



Vol. XX.] JUNE, 1887. [No. 289. 



LOCALITIES FOR BEGINNERS. 



By John T. Caeeington, F.L.S. 



No. XL— THAMES SALT-MAESHES. 



The most convenient route for the collecting-ground near 

 the mouth of the Eiver Thames is by the London, Tilbury, and 

 Southend Railway, from the London terminus in Fenchurch 

 Street. The salt-marshes commence within twenty miles from 

 London, but these are not quite so prolific, nor so accessible, as 

 those somewhat farther down the line. A convenient station on 

 the railway is Beniieet, which is close by the fine marsh skirting 

 the creek which surrounds Canvey Island on the north side. 

 On arrival at Benfleet we leave the station, and, instead of going 

 into the small vihage, we turn eastwards for a few yards, when 

 the road becomes, if it be low-water, a ford over the creek ; but, 

 if it be high-w^ater, there is a ferry-boat in attendance. 



Crossing the creek, we follow the high road for a little way, 

 and see on either side of us two distinct types of salt-marsh ; 

 that on the right is by no means favourable for collecting insects, 

 being too wet or boggy for comfort in walking, so we will leave 

 it without further exploration. The plants most numerously 

 represented are a Clicncypodhnn and the salt-marsh samphire, 

 each in luxuriant profusion. Continuing up the road there 

 stands on the left-hand side a fai-mhouse, but before reaching it 

 is a little pond within the sea-wall. Passing this pond we keep 

 under the sea-wall along the side of the marsh for about half a 

 mile, until we find the grassy portion of the marsh quite firm 



ENTOM.— JUNE, 1887. U 



