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for all to be happy, to increase in knowledge and prepare 

 for a higher state of existence. It was impossible for a 

 naturalist to be otherwise than a thoughtful man, because 

 in his investigations he was constantly finding indications 

 of and reasons for a future life. We are not to be here 

 for ever — the present is only a state of probation for a 

 brighter and a better world. Some of the changes observed 

 in tiie insect world were emblematical of the future change 

 which they would all have to undergo. He need not men- 

 tion the transformation of the chrysallis which in a brief 

 space, as it were at the touch of a enchanter's wand, be- 

 came a thing of life and beauty, fit emblem of the freedom 

 and happiness which the human spirit will enjoy when freed 

 from its present state of existence and transferred to the un- 

 known land where they "were assured there is never ending 

 spring and never failing pleasures. Mr. Standring con- 

 cluded his address by explaining that, owing to unavoidable 

 circumstances Mr. Hoffman was prevented from attending 

 the meeting and that Mr. Tucker had been too much 

 engaged to prepare the paper he had been expected to read. 

 It only remained for him therefore to call upon Dr. Pittock 

 to read his promised essay on the Corallines found on the 

 Margate coast, after which Captain Cox would address the 

 meeting on the silkworm and silk producing insects. 



Dr. Pittock then rose and read an excellent paper, the 

 more important portions of which we subjoin :— " At the 

 annual meeting of this society, held at Eamsgate last year, 

 a paper was read by my friend Mr. Hillier, on the " Sea 

 Anemones of the Thanet coast," which will, doubtless, be 

 fresh in the recollection of many here present to-day. As 

 I think it will be universally admitted that the chief, or at 

 least the most important, object of a society like this, is to 

 investigate the flora and fauna of the district, in all their 

 branches, so as to be able to compile a catalogue of the 

 various species in each department, together with original 

 observations on their history and habits, for the guidance of 



