Mr. W. Evans and family, C. Devon, Esq., Captain and 

 Mrs. Connor, Rev. W. Blandford, Rev. — Dale, Dr. 

 Appleton, "Wm. "Wacher, Esq., Col. Blaxland and family, 

 Mr. Regg, Mr. Manning, Lieut. Coppin, Mr. Spicer, Miss 

 Slarke, Mr. Frankland, Mr. Lake, Mr. E. Collard, Mr. 

 "Wicks, Mr. Ridout, Mr. George, Miss A. Newton, &c., &c. 

 Sir "Walter James, president of the society, took the 

 chair. In opening the proceedings he said that before 

 introducing Captain Cox to the meeting, he would make 

 a few remarks of a general character. And first he 

 would state to the members how very grateful he felt for 

 the honour they had conferred on him by electing him to 

 the office of president for the year. (Cheers.) He felt 

 that he was not a naturalist — that he was not entitled from 

 his study of these subjects to hold the office which had 

 been conferred on him. Their choice must, he thouo-ht. 

 have been dictated by his general position, or some other/ 

 circumstance of that kind. At the same time, he could as- 

 sure the meeting that he was anxious to promote the study 

 of natural history by any means in his power. (Cheers.) 

 He was glad that the society had been originated with large 

 and general views, such as were expressed in its title " The 

 East Kent Natural History Society." In other neighbour- 

 hoods it was common to meet with societies having certain 

 limited objects— floral societies, botanical societies, &c., but 

 he had not met elsewhere with any society formed on so 

 broad a basis as their own. (Hear, hear.) His own 

 studies had not been of that strict character which would 

 entitle him to speak with authority on scientific questions, 

 but he would offer to those present one piece of advice as 

 to the noble study which they desired to prosecute. The 

 advice he referred to came from the most eminent naturalist 

 of the day, with whom he (the president) had some slight 

 acquaintance, and whom he had had the pleasure of meet- 

 ing in society ; he n-eant Professor Owen. It was this; — 

 " Select, if you please, the particular branch of science 

 which you wish to make your study, and at the same time 



