224 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
The meetings during the past year have been well attended, and 
several of them have been rendered extremely instructive by the 
exhibition of various rare and novel objects connected with natural 
history or microscopical research. 
A paper was read in October by James Glaisher, Esq.; one of the 
Vice-Presidents, and a very crowded meeting, at which many ladies 
were present, listened to him with much pleasure as he detailed the 
particulars of his late balloon ascents, made at the suggestion of the 
British Association, and conveyed to his hearers, in a pleasing and 
popular form, and by the aid of excellent diagrams, the scientific 
results obtained by his aérial voyages. <A paper also was read in 
March by J. Slade, Esq., giving an interesting account of ‘ Shell 
Structure.” 
The past summer was not favorable for field-meetings ; one only 
took place. The members who attended it were well pleased with 
the results. Botany was the science selected for illustration, and a 
list of about 240 plants met with in the day’s excursion was drawn 
up by J. Mathewson, Esq. 
'The second soirée given by the society was held in June. About 
300 ladies and gentlemen were present. More than fifty micro- 
scopes belonging to members were placed on the tables, and many 
objects of interest were exhibited. Among these were magnificent 
specimens of alge and ferns from Australia and Japan; British 
birds’ eggs; insects from various foreign countries, shells, &c.; 
with numerous fossils and other geological specimens. The room 
was beautifully decorated with choice exotics, lent by John Penn, 
Esq., and refreshments were supplied to the company. 
The additions to the library during the past year have been— 
Williamson’s ‘ British Foraminifera.’ 
Carpenter’s ‘Introduction to the Foraminifera.’ 
Currey’s ‘ Hoffmeister’s Cryptogamic Botany.’ 
‘The Microscopic Journal’ for 1862. 
‘Popular Science Review’ for 1862. 
‘Manchester Philosophical Transactions,’ presented by the 
Manchester Literary and Scientific Society. 
A cabinet has been purchased for the reception of microscopic 
slides, and more than fifty have been presented ; and it is hoped 
that members obtaining any rare or-interesting object will forward 
a duplicate for the use of the society. Soundings still continue to 
be received from various parts of the world, some of which have 
been examined, and several objects, especially Foraminifera, have 
been obtained from them. 
The number of members is now 113, including eight honorary 
members. 
The auditor’s report will show that the funds are in a satisfactory 
condition. 
Rules. 
1. The society shall be called Taz West Kent Naturat Hts- 
