LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. xl. 
January, 1860, in the 55th year of his age ; having been a Fellow 
of the Linnean Society since the 4th of March, 1845. 
Dr. Plomley began life as a general practitioner at Lydd, on 
Romney Marsh, but on his becoming an Extra-Licentiate of 
the Royal College of Physicians in 1846, he removed to Maidstone. 
In 1849 he much distinguished himself by his courage and self- 
devotion in the treatment of a fearful epidemic which broke out 
among the Irish hop-pickers congregated at East Farleigh, in the 
neighbourhood of Maidstone. Regardless of danger and fatigue, 
he devoted himself for sixteen days and nights, almost without 
intermission, to his painful task, in conjunction with Mr. Sedgwick, 
Mr. Kennett, the Union Surgeon, and the then Incumbent of the 
parish, the Rey. Archdeacon Wilberforce. In 1850, Dr. Plomley 
was appointed Physician to the West Kent Infirmary. 
Notwithstanding his professional occupations, he always found 
time to devote considerable attention to natural history, and 
especially to ornithology; and during his residence on Romney 
Marsh he made a valuable collection of Kentish Birds, comprising 
not less than 516 specimens, all preserved and set up by himself. 
This interesting collection, which was always liberally open to the 
public, he eventually presented to the Dover Museum, where it is 
shown as the “ Plomley Collection.”” Dr. Plomley’s published 
works are of no great importance, consisting chiefly of lectures 
addressed to the Weald of Kent Farmers’ club in the years 1849- 
51, on subjects of natural history, interesting to the agriculturist. 
They are :— 
1. A Lecture on the Structure, Functions, and Chemistry of 
Plants. 
2. Observations on the Laws which regulate the Growth and 
Cultivation of Grain and Root Crops. 
3. On the Blghts of the British Farm, arising from Parasitic 
Fungi. 
4. On Hop-Blights ; including the Natural History of the Hop- 
Fly and its Enemies. 
These praiseworthy attempts to enlighten his neighbours on 
scientific subjects very necessary for them to be acquainted with, 
are all highly creditable to Dr. Plomley, and the last Essay more 
especially appears to contain some interesting original observa- 
tions. 
Francis George Probart, MD., was a physician of considerable 
eminence at Bury St. Edmunds, in which town he had long oceu- 
pied a very prominent position, and was much and deservedly 
