36 



moribund and useless as far as serious work is concerned ; and I would strenuously urge the E.K.S.N.S. 

 to take up and carry out as many of the eighteen lines of investigation (mentioned below) as it 

 possibly can. Even one line of organised investigation followed out systematically is better than a 

 whole Session of dilletante papers on all subjects that may be included'under the heading of " Natural 

 History." 



The Second Conference of Delegates wa», as usual, given up to reports and suggestions from 

 representatives of the various sections of the British Association. 



Section A (Mathematical and Physical Science).— No representative present. 

 Section B (Chemistry). — Professor Letts brought two subjects for investigation before the 

 Conference, (1) the phosphorescence of diamonds: apparently only a few diamonds are really 

 phosphorescent, and records of the occurrence of this phenomenon are wanted ; (3) the absorption 

 and decomposition of ammonia and nitrogen compounds by certain algie. The alga, ulva latissima, 

 appears to abound where there is isewage pollution of natural waters ; it has a certain absorbent 

 power for nitrogen compounds, but itself rots and fermpnts. It is possible that this sea weed might 

 be of use in forming aquatic sewage farms. Notices of its occurrence and records of its growths and 

 habits are required. 



Section C (Geology).— Professor Cole gave a short sketch of important papers read in this Section. 

 Professor Kendal, Dr. Woodward, Mr. Lomas, and the Chairman ( Professor Watts) also spoke. Many 

 of the subjects touched upon (such as the Committees on Erratic Blocks and the Trias Formation) do 

 not effect East Kent, but the work of the Committee on (1) Geological Photographs, (2) Coast En sion, 

 (3) Records of Bore Holes, Wells, and Sections, (4) Registration of Type Specimens, can be very 

 materially aided by East Kent workers. 



I would again specially urge on the photographer? of our Society the advantages to themselves of 

 taking up some such systematic work as that outlined by the Geological Photographs Committee, and 

 also the permanent value that will accrue, from such work, to science at large. With regard to the- 

 work of the Committee on Registration of Type Specimens it would be well to have our local Museum 

 systematically searched to see whether there beany " figured " specimens preserved in it ; these soon- 

 get lost and " buried " in local museums, and they .«hould be recorded before such fate befalls them. 



Section D (Zoology). — Mr. Bles mentioned three subjects in which the local Societies miglt make 

 experiments and investigations : — 



(1.) The adaptation of amphibians (e g. the Axolotl) to an alkaline medium (e.g. sea 

 water). The axolotl has been found capable of existing under marine conditions, 

 and further observations on other amphibians in this connection are required. 

 (2.) The study of insect fauna of caves. 

 (3.) Protective mimicry in British insects. 

 This latter subject seems to me one eminently fitted for investigation by our entomological 

 members. 



Mr. Bles further spoke at length on the valuable work that local Societies could do. He said that 

 members of Natural History Societies might, be roughly divided into two classes ; (1) the older and 

 experienced workers who had probably already settled down into lines of woik of their own ; (2) the 

 younger and inexperienced members who were keen and eager to work, but had no notion of scientific 

 method. These latter were the workers who would be specially valuable in working out details on 

 the B.A. Committees' lines, and he advocated the use of carefully worded schedules which these 

 observers could fill up, and so a large mass of important data might be collected from a large area. 

 He showed examples of such schedules now being used at Cambridge. 



Section E (Geography). — Dr. H. R. Mill said that so far no work had come in from the correspond- 

 ing Societies to the Committee on '" Variations in the course of rivers and shapes of lakes," but he 

 hoped that the Societies were at work on this important subject. It seems to me that some of our 

 members might survey the course of the river Stour, and note any recent or more ancient changes in 

 that course that are evident and, as far as possible, account for them. I believe, especially in its lower 

 reaches, the river has changed its course here and there quite recently (geologically speaking). 



Dr. Mill then spoke at length on the necessity of mtUtiplying rainfall observations so that data 

 might be available tor determining accurately the interaction of land farms and prevailing winds on 

 the rainfall. A multitude of L'bservers was necessary so that individual observations might be duly 

 checked. He poioted out that, as our coal supply was now within measurable distance of exhaustion, 

 water-power would have to take its place in the near future, and therefore all possible data affecting 

 the water supply must be collected now, ere it is too late. He emphasized the value of a Socii ty 

 taking up this work rather than an individual, as individuals disappear, while Societies can carry on 

 continuous work. (Dr. Mill's address, for rainfall statistics, is 63, Camden Square, London). 



Section H (Anthropology). — The representative of Section H pointed out how an existing Act of 

 Parliament allowed road surveyors liberty, apparently, to break up ancient monuments for the 

 repairing of roads ; he begged Local Societies to do all that they could to preserve and record the 

 ancient monuments (e.g. standing stones, cromlechs, stone circles, etc., etc.) of their neighbourhood. 



He also spoke on the advantages that would accrue if Societies situated in Jtint districts would 

 investigate "nature-chipping" in flints. At present our knowledge of the geological age of 

 " prehistoric man " is obscured by the doubtful origin of many so-called " flint implements." How far 

 natural causes produce " chipped flints " remains to be determined, and Societies in flint districts- 

 might make very valuable observations by marking and " planting " flints wherever there is aay 



