ADDRESS 



DELIVERED IIEFOKE THE MEMBERS OF 



THE WEST KENT NATURAL HISTORY, MICROSCOPICAL, AND 

 PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, 



The President, R. McLACHLAN, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S., 



On 25th Febriinry, 1880. 



Gentlemen, 



When twelve months ago 1 had the pleasure of addressing 

 you, my remarks ^'cre prefaced by a few general observations on 

 the condition of this Society. I pointed out that our financial 

 position was very strong. I pointed out also some, means of 

 dissipating a portion of what some might be disposed to consider 

 superfluous wealth. As our present balance is not much more 

 than one-sixth of that of last year, it may be well to notice 

 some of the principal means by which it has been reduced, 

 even although these may have been already alluded to in the 

 Report of the Council which you have just heard read. The 

 expenses of our Soiree naturally absorbed a considerable amount ; 

 the printer's bill for two years is included in the present balance- 

 sheet ; we have had two extraordinary Lectures by scientific 

 gentlemen of high position ; lastly, the urgent necessity for 

 providing suitable accommodation for our Library has been met 

 by the purchase of a substantial book-case ; some amount has 

 also been expended in books. Our balance ought to have been 

 much larger ; and in connection with this I regi'et to say our 

 Treasurer has on liis list far too great a number of members 

 who are in arrear with their subscriptions ; I hope these will take 

 the hint thus tiiruwn out. 



Our numbers remain much in the same condition as last year ; 

 there is no increase, but, at the same time, there is no material 

 decrease. 



We have had a Paper on five of the ordinary meetings ; and 

 on one other (January 28th) we had an extraordinary lecture, so 



