40 



A great feature of the spring was the wealth of blossom on all fruit trees, both cultivated and" 

 wild, no doubt largely owing to the warm weather in the summer and autumn of the previous year, 

 which induced the formation of fruit buds and the ripening of the young wood. But, alas ! the 

 promises of a great yield of fruit were utterly ruined by a single night's severe frost in May. The 

 extreme drought of the previous summer was disastrous to many plants, notably the primroses, which 

 suffered so severely that our woods and hedges were not nearly so gay as usual with these favourite 

 flowers. 



It is with pleasure that we can record the fact that many rare plants which have been growing 

 on certain spots in East Kent, known only to a few, are doing well and perhaps increasing. Several 

 curious alien plants have also been met with, an account of which will probably be given at some 

 future time. 



We are also pleased to say that the plant known as bastard toad flax ( Thesium humifusum ), of 

 which the *' Flora of Kent" says, "The apparent absence of Thesium humifusum B.C. (Santalaceoe) 

 from the extensive chalk downs of Kent is very remarkable, as it grows both in Surrey and Sussex," 

 was found growing plentifully at two different spots in the parish of Petham by Mrs. Hall i« July. 



Also that the cause of the disease known as " The silver leaf disease," which is so fatal to plum 

 trees, has been worked out by Professor Percival, of Wye College. The cause of this disease had for 

 years completely baffled all our fungologists ; the Professor, however, traced the cause to a fungus 

 known as Stereum purpureitm, and afterwards produced the disease on a healthy tree by inoculating 

 it with spores of the above fungus. . 



W. H. HAMMOND. 



Miss Phillpotts reports that no flowers or plants have been left at the Beaney Institute for 

 identification, etc, and that no botanical notes have been made in the members' note book. Last year 

 much greater interest was taken, and there were repeated demands for information. It is hoped that 

 a more determined effort will be made this session to revive interest in this subject by means of one 

 or two special lectures during the winter, and daring the summer months practical working excursions 

 for botanical members only. 



HON. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT FOR 1902. 



The Society is indebted to the following members for gifts of serials during the year : — Miss 



Kingsford for " The Entomologist " ; G. Kigden, Esq., for " Nature " ; S. W. Harvey, Esq., for " The 

 Photogram " ; and *' The Amateur Photogiapher " from the Publishers, Uazell, Watson, and Viney, Ltd. 



The following reports, etc., have been received from other Societies in exchange relations with 

 ours : — Smithsonian Institution (U.S.A.), Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Society, Missouri 

 Botanical Garden, Natural Museum of Buenos Ay res, Institute of Geology (Mexico), Field Columbian 

 Museum (U.S.A), Milwaukee Museum, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Carnegie Museum, British 

 Association, City of London College Natural Science Society, Hastings and St. Leonards Natural History 

 Society, Cardiff Natuial History Society. Eastbourne Natural History Society, South London Entomo- 

 logical and Natural History Society, Ealing Natural History Society, Holmesdale Natural History 

 Society. Royal Microscopical Society, Rochester Natural History Society, Wellington College Science 

 Society, and Marlborough College Natural History Society. 



The following Societies with whom we are affiliated, and to whom we pay an annual subscription, 

 have sent publications: — Quekett Microscopical Club, Royal Photographic Society (monthly journal),, 

 and the Ray Society. The latter Society have forwarded two grand works, one the Tyroglyphidae, 

 by Michael, and the other a work on the Coccidae, by Newstead ; each work is splendidly illustrated. 



The serials purchased have been: — "Knowledge," "Zoologist," "Science Gossip," "Geological 

 Magazine," and "The Junior Photographer." 



The thanks of the Society are due ro Miss Holmes and Miss Phillpotts for subscribing to the 

 Quekett Microscopical Club, and amongst other donations during the year have been — " Reminiscences 

 of a Yorkshire Naturalist," from the proprietors; and "The Barnet Book of Photography," from 

 Messrs. Elliott and Sons. 



The Library contains over 1,200 volumes, besides a valuable collection of pamphlets, and there is 

 a card catalogue for reference. It is an especially serviceable collection, dealing with all branches of 

 Natural History, and will be found of great assistance to workers in any department. Photographers 

 have also been catered for, and they will find a good selection of works dealing with their art. 



The Society will be pleased to receive prints^ lantern elides, etc., illustrating any branch of 

 Natural History, etc. 



W. H. FIDDIAN, 



Hon. Librarian. 



