V. 



PREFACE. 



The Editors have to express their profound regret that unforeseen 

 circumstances have postponed the publication of this volume 

 almost beyond excusable limits. It was originally intended that 

 it should be published in time for the Woolwich Congress (1907) 

 of the South Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, and that it 

 should consist of some 100 to 150 pages, and include a survey of 

 the district from six different approaches, Geology, Botany, Zoology, 

 Archaeology, Scientific Industries, and Photography. This, how- 

 ever, was found impracticable ; and subsequent delays ensued in 

 consequence of the premature death that closed the promising 

 career of Mr. B. C. Polkinghorne, and the prolonged ill-health of 

 Mr. C. H. Grinling. 



The volume now produced differs in important respects from 

 that announced in the original Introduction circulated with sample 

 pages at the Woolwich Congress. The sections on Geology and 

 Scientific Industries are on the plan originally contemplated. The 

 Archaeological section, owing to special difficulties, falls short of the 

 original intention. But, on the other hand, very much valuable 

 material was contributed for the Botanical and Zoological sections, 

 and a great opportunity would have been lost if it had not been 

 embodied. These sections have in consequence become greatly 

 extended, and the " Handbook " has grown into a volume of some 

 600 pages. 



It was hoped to insert an introductory chapter by Mr. C. H. 

 Grinling, " Work waiting to be done a Survey of Surveys," 

 giving an account of the material available for workers for surveys 

 of the district from other aspects than those covered in this volume, 

 particularly on the human and sociological side ; as well as pointing 

 out the gaps that remain in the subjects already treated ; inviting 

 the research of the local student, and sketching main lines of 

 advance indicated by foremost workers in the different sciences. 

 The publication of this volume has been delayed in order that this 



