since the chalk was deposited. This is certain, 

 because rocks of cretaceous or still later date have 

 shared in the elevatory movements which gave 

 rise to these mountain chains, and may be found 

 perched up in some cases many thousands of feet 

 high upon their flanks. From that time to the 

 present, the population of the world has under- 

 gone slow and gradual, but incessant changes ; one 

 species has vanished and another taken its place, 

 creatures of one type of structure have diminished, 

 those of another increased as time has passed on, 

 and thus while the difference between the living 

 creatures of the time before the chalk and those 

 of the present day appear startling if placed side 

 by side, we are led from one to the other by the 

 most gradual progress, if we follow the course of 

 Nature ihrough the whole series of those relics of 

 her operations which she lias left behind. 



i>ne conclusion to be drawn is, that the earth's 

 crust, instead < f being a rigid and immovable mass 

 as was once supposed, is, and always has been, 

 utterly unstable. It is probable, indeed, that no 

 part of the land remains stationary for any long 

 period of time, geologically speaking, but is even- 

 tually either slowly depressed or as slowly upraised 

 to a still higher elevation above the sea. It is 

 certain, at any rate, that the form of the great 

 continents has been considerably altered, parts 

 being elevated and parts depressed, so that every 

 portion has in its turn been brought beneath the 



level of the sea. It is certain also that every 

 country is now dry land only because it has been 

 upraised from beneath the neighbouring eea. It 

 is also an inexorable law of Nature that nothing 

 is wasted, and the most foul matter, in process of 

 time, becomes absorbed in the most beautiful 

 creations of the universe. 



In proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer, 

 Mr. Sidney Harvey alluded to tbe slight phock of 

 earthquake which was telt in parts of England 

 early on Sunday morning. He said it wa^ some- 

 times difficult to believe that any good con'd come 

 out of the fearful upheavals which occasiorally tnok 

 place, but there was no doubt that, terrible as the 

 results of earthquakes and other catas^trophes often 

 wfre, the changes wrought by them in the crust of 

 tbe eaith often proved of great benefit, inasmuch 

 as they brought nearer to the surface and within 

 the reach of man many minerals— such as coal, for 

 instance— which would otherwitse be too far off to 

 obtain. 



The vote was unanimously accorded. 



A short discussion took place with legard to the 

 programme for tbe ensuing summer, and, on the 

 suggestion of the Hon. Secretary (Mr. Lander), it 

 was decided that membors should, during the next 

 few days, send in any proposals they had to make 

 ■with regard to excursions to the Secretary prior to 

 a meetingof the committee, whendefinitearrange- 

 menta could be made. 



REPORT FOR THE FORTY^EIGHTH YEAR, ENDING SEPTEMBER 30th, 1905. 



During the past year we have lost by removal resignation, or death, ten members and associates 

 but seven new ones have joined, thus making the total number 92. including nine corresponding mem- 

 bers, ten honorary members, thirteen associates, and fifty-nine ordinary metubers. 



This year the Society has had to mourn the loss of Mr. A. U. Battley, of Huuter's Forstal, Heme 

 Bay, who died on April 1st, at the early age of thirty-nine. He was one of our Lepidoptera experts, a 

 very accomplished naturalist and valuable member. His interesting papers abd lectures have been of 

 much use to the Society, and at the time of his death he was engaged at the work of tabulating and 

 recording a classified list of Kent butterflies and moths and he had captur^-d several new to tbe 

 district. From the Entomologist we gather that Mr. Battley had been "an ardent field-naturalist 

 from his boyhood, and although the Lepidoptera were his favourite study, his acquaintance with 

 ornithology was of no mean order, and botany and geology also claimed a share of his attention. 

 Thoroughly practical in everything in which he interested himself, be was always ready to impart 

 information and advice whenever it was within his power; and this geniality and unselfishness 

 endeared him to a wide circle of acquaintance. Perhaps some of his best work was in tbe promotion 

 of nature study through his encouragement of the smaller societies and especially his interest in, and 

 help to, young beginners. He was Secretary of the City of London Entomological and Natural History 

 Society from 1W90 to 1895, and Presidnnt of the North London Natural Hi.stoiy Society in 1893. His 

 loss will be keenly felt by many who bad come under the magnetic influence of his enthusiasm or who 

 were indebted to his unvarying kindness." 



We also record with much regret the resignation of one of our oldest members and founders, Mr. 

 Sibert Saunders, of Whitstable, who for a long number of years has taken the liveliest interest in all the 

 affairs of the Society, and whose work and fascinating lectures on marine zoology will long be remem- 

 bered. He was a leading authority on marine aquaria, and the Museum and Aquarium at Whitstable 

 are almost solely due to his efforts. It has been suggested that, as some mark of appreciation, Mr, 

 Saunders should, at the annual meeting, be elected an honorary member and Vice- President 



We also record with regret the death of Mr. John Marten, of VVomenswoId, formerly of Dunkirk 

 House, BoughtoQ. He was in his sixty-seventh year and was an authority on Kent mosses, etc. 

 Although not a member, Mr. Marten took an interest in our Society and contributed bryological notea 

 for publication with our reports as recently as last year. 



Scientific meetings have been held as in former years, reports of which will he found on other 

 pages. 



Captain McBakin represented us at the Congress of the S.E. Union of Scientific Societies at: 



