and admire tlie wonderful works of tlic Creator scattered 

 around us in such munificence, and to teach others to look 

 for the hidden beauties in llower and field, this was one 

 object of the Society ; and this, in every sense of the word, 

 is the popular part of its proceedings. To this latter object 

 the Society has hitherto directed too exclusively its atten- 

 tion. But surely with seven years of experience, during 

 which we have formed so many I may say happy acquaint- 

 ances with those residing in the county who have a practical 

 knowledge of Botany, Zoology, Entomology, and Geology, 

 and who would be most likely to aid us in this undertaking, 

 surely now some practical work is expected of us ; and 

 although we may regret that seven years have passed over 

 our heads leaving so little practical work behind as the re- 

 sult, yet we may, on the other hand, be glad that we have 

 not begun our work with scanty knowledge and few work- 

 men. We have the experience of the past to guide us, and 

 I hope we shall for the future resolve that our energies shall 

 be directed into some practical channel. 



East Kent, from its varied surface, its sea-bound coast, 

 and, above aU, its varied geological features, possesses an 

 exceedingly rich flora, and consequently fauna. It is not 

 unexplored, for many botanists and zoologists have written 

 about its wealth, but yet much remains to be done ; and 

 I may observe that what has been done has been accom- 

 plished by single individuals, aided, it may be, by others. 

 As we have a society devoted to Natural History, containing 

 many members qualified to record accurate observations, 

 the task should fall proportionately lighter oa our shoul- 

 d«rs. 



In suggesting to you the following plan, I would ob- 

 serve Miat although many men constitute an army, they 

 cannot work without their separate generals ; so they again 

 require a field marrfhul, a general-in-chief, to direct their 

 operations. "With our Republican Natural History Society 

 it will be necessary for us to place confidence in those indi- 



