8 



Kingsford ; and many botanical and ornithological exhibits 

 contributed by Mr. Jas. Reid and Mr. Dowker. 



The year's work of the Society may, on the whole, be 

 regarded as satisfactory. The supply of papers has been well 

 kept up, and they have been of considerable interest. The 

 attendance at the evening meetings has shown a decided im- 

 provement, and it is hoped that members will endeavour to 

 be present as frequently as possible. 



The Excursions of the Season have been very successful. 

 The first was on May 17, to Folkestone, Sandgate, and Hythe, 

 Mr. Geo. Dowker being the director for the Greological Obser- 

 vations, and Mr. H. B. Mackeson for the Archaeology of Hythe. 

 The second Excursion, on June 14, was a Botanical one to 

 Challock Lees and Eastwell under the guidance of Mr. H. 

 Dean. On August 16 a Botanical Excursion was organised to 

 Wingham, Preston, and Stodmarsh, Mr. Geo. Dowker again 

 tindertaking the duties of director. The last Excursion of the 

 season was to Dover on September 13 ; Capt. McDakin was the 

 organiser, and the company separated into two groups, 

 one for Botanical exploration, the other for Zoophyte hunting. 



All the Excursions were well attended, and on every occa- 

 sion the weather was fine. Lists of specimens found have 

 been made, and are kept in the Society's room for inspection, 

 and a general account of each Excursion is preserved in the 

 Report Book. 



Mr. A. S. Reid, M.A., F.G.S., again kindly undertook to 

 act as the delegate of the Society at the meeting of the British 

 Association at Bath. He submitted a very interesting and 

 suggestive report of the proceedings of the Committee of the 

 Corresponding Societies. He again draws attention to the 

 great importance of members of Natural History Societies 

 amdertaking systematic local investigations, and he mentions 

 the recording of the variation in river temperature, the pho- 

 tographing of geological sections, the study of the life history 

 of plants, and the preservation of ancient monuments as 

 applying particularly to this district. 



Your Committee have made arrangements for the obser- 

 vation of the temperature of the Stour, and they have taken 

 some steps to organise a plan for the photographing of geologi- 

 cal sections. They feel that the thanks of the Society are due 

 to Mr. A. S. Reid for his services as delegate, and for his ex- 

 cellent and suggestive report, and they would be pleased if 

 members would help to carry out his recommendations. 



It was mentioned in the last report that another series of 



