/■ 



mica is another ; but, as Sir Charles observes, we have still 

 much to learn before the conversion of fossil bodies into 

 stone is fully understood. 



I have endeavoured to give you the outlines of the phy- 

 sical history of the district, and I hope I have made myself 

 understood. At all events, I am sure that you would find 

 ample interest in the subject if you would take it in hand 

 yourselves, and not neglect the opportunities of collecting 

 and investigating those objects of past creation now buried 

 in the rocks, but once living, and so wisely adapted by creative 

 intelligence to the then existingphysioalconditions— unfold- 

 ing to us lessons of useful instruction ; while at the same time 

 we need not overlook those subsequent changes of land and 

 water, to which the scenery, as well as the economic 

 relations of this part of the county of Kent, are evi- 

 dently due. 



Thomas Thurston, Esq., of Ashford, next rose and, after 

 some introductiory remarks, raid the following paper on 

 the Eiver Stour:— I have been requested to improve the 

 present occasion, by introducing some remarks on some 

 subject, connecting this locality with the society which has 

 this day honored our town with its presence; and I 

 hope the subject your are aware I am about to in- 

 troduce, viz., one connected with the river Stour, may 

 not prove wholly devoid of interest. It is gratifying to 

 many of us to find the fast growing desire in the young to 

 make themselves conversant with the minutioe of dilferent 

 species of animate and inanimate nature, and I know no- 

 thing 80 likely to lead us to a knowledge of our Creator and 

 a just estimate of His almighty power and wisdom, as 

 learning to appreciate the wonderful order which prevades 

 the whole universe, and which I feel to be eminently dis- 

 played in that portion of the creation of which I have un- 

 dertaken to attempt the illustration. I am old enough to 

 look back with some surprise at the advance which science 

 has made during the present century, indeed I may say 

 withm the last 20 or 30 years societies like this I am now 



