44 



Section E (Geooeapht). — Dr. Cornish called attention to the new Committee that had been 

 formed to systematically study the lakes of Great Britain. He did not advise Local Societies to 

 attempt a survey of a lake for themselves, but he felt sure they could assist in the preliminary stages, 

 especially by collecting a list of local references, papers, old descriptions, etc., of local lakes. 



Section F (Economics). — No remarks. 



Section (i (Mechanical Science). — The representative spoke of the standardisation of screw 

 threads, and experiments now being made in motor traction to discover the best form of roadway for 

 motors. 



Section H (Anthropoloqt). — Mr. Balfour made a valuable and suggestive speech, urging 

 upon the Societies to collect, ere the originals had disappeared, photographs of anthropological and 

 archaeological interest in their districts. Moreover photographic or descriptive records were wanted of 

 all survivals of primitive Customs and Appliances that are dying out. Dr. Garson followed in the 

 same strain, and it seems to me that here is a piece of work eminently fitted for the E.K.N. H.S. to take 

 up systematically. Mr. Henry Balfour, Anthropological Department, The Museum, Oxfonl, will give 

 information as to methcds to be adopted and what material is required. The Society has skilled 

 photographers among its members, I believe, and the amount of material in East Kent I know to b© 

 ample to employ members for some time. But the work must be undertaken on systematic lines, and- 

 not by sporadic efforts. 



Section K (Botany). — The representative of this Section reported that a Committee had been 

 formed to study the Blue-green algse (Cyan»phycex), and that specimens of these algse would be 

 helpful and should be sent to Mr. H. Wager, Arnold House, Derby. It further pointed out that the 

 Corresponding Societies could greatly help the Botanical Photographs Committee by collecting photo- 

 graphs of botanical interest instancing such objects as "Characteristic or rare plants photographed in 

 situ," " Hypertrophia, etc., produced iu plants by parasitic fungi," " Effects produced by attacks of 

 insects," etc., etc. These should be sent to Professor Weiss, Owen's College, Manchester, who will 

 shortly issue a circular on the subject. Here again is work eminently suitable for members of the 

 East Kent Natural History Society. In all cases of photographic records— geological, botanical, 

 anthropological, etc.— the Local Society should keep a duplicate set of photographs. 



Section L (Education). — This Section was only formed this year, and as yet has appointed no 

 Ooismittee which the Local Societies could help. 



Finally, taking a general view of the work of this year's Congress of Delegates from the Corres- 

 ponding Societies of the British Association, I think two important matters stand out for your considera- 

 tion :— (1) Is the East Kent Natural History Society as full of life and energy now^ as it was in its 

 earlier days, or has it like the old river system worked itself down to its " base-level " ? If not— well 

 and good ; but if you perceive signs of loss of interest, of dillitanti-ism, of falling oft in energy and 

 production of useful result", then (2) may not the necessary "upheaval" be brought about by the 

 Society following the excellent example of other similar Societies and (in addition, of course, to its 

 present work) taking up systematically some of the lines of work indicated above. 



I do not mean to say that nothing has been done by the Society on these lines, for I know of 

 certain past work in 2oast erosion, geological photography, etc., etc., but I think it probable that a 

 great deal more could be done and that the work might be better systematized by following carefully 

 the instructions given by the Secretaries of the British Association Committees, and by appointing 

 evening meetings, at which reports of the Society Sub-Committees should be brought up and discussed 

 when practical work (photographs, maps, well section.^, geological sections, plans, etc.) could he shown, 

 before transmission to the Secretaries of the British Association Committees. At the recent Conference, 

 Delegates of some Societies were able to show Ordnance Maps of their districts, in which their Society 

 had marked every ancient monument, archeeological and anthropological points of interest, etc., etc. ; 

 others had prepared geological sections of all borings and cuttings in their district, others had details 

 of the work done by their Societies, and surveys carried out on the lines laid down by other British 

 Association Committees. If our Society has, during the past year, made any permanent records of like 

 nature, they have not been communicated to their Delegate, and I was, therefore, unable to make any 

 statement to that effect, and, in conclusion, I would point out that it is a matter of great importance 

 that the Sociaty Secretary should keep the Society's Delegate fully informed of all such work done by 

 the Society, so that when, each year, he meets the Delegates of the other Societies of the United 

 Kingdom he may be able to justify his Society's claim to its position as one of the chosen Corresponding 

 Societies of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 



I have the honour to remain. Gentlemen, 

 Your obedient servant, 



ARTHUR S. REID, M.A., F.G.S., 



Delei'ate from the East Kent Natural History Society to the Conference of Delegate* of the 

 Corresponding Societies of the British Association for the Advancement of Science at the 

 Glasgow Meeting of 1901. 

 Glenalmond, September 21st, 1901. 



