HERTFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
lxi 
Watford would scarcely be felt .... The rainfall of the last six 
years has year by year been in excess of the average, giving a total 
excess of 40 inches. The flood-waters due to this excess find their 
way into the Chalk on the east bank of the Colne, and thus prevent 
the exhaustion by pumps being felt, but should the present or any 
future year be very deficient in rain, then the water in the Chalk 
to the east would be speedily reduced and the exhaustion would be 
felt to the west, and the volume of water in the river would be 
sensibly reduced. I have heard that the North-Western Railway 
Company expect two million gallons per day from the well near the 
viaduct—this and the Colne Yalley well would probably fail, that is 
if the Colne Yalley Company tries to pump two millions also. The 
Watford town well should not be bored, but headings should be 
driven in the Chalk. The Lower Chalk as a rule yields little 
water, though of course as the boring is deepened the water comes 
under greater pressure. I should like to know how much water 
the North-Western Railway Company pumped from their well at 
the viaduct on an average during last year, and how much they 
can pump at present. I have been watching for a short water 
year; come when it will, I think my anticipations will be verified.” 
2. “Note on the Meteor of the 14th of December, 1890.” Ry 
the President. ( Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 194.) 
3. “Report on Diseases of Plants in Hertfordshire in 1890.” 
Ry A. T. Rrett, M.D. ( Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 191.) 
4. “ On the Poisonous Properties of Primula obconicaP Ry A. 
T Rrett, M.D. ( Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 195.) 
5. “ Note on Insects building in a Lock.” Ry A. T. Rrett, M.D. 
(Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 196.) 
6. “Note on a Stoat caught in a Mole-trap.” Ry W. Lewis. 
(Communicated by Dr. Rrett.) ( Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 196.) 
The following papers were taken as read :— 
1. “Report on the Rainfall in Hertfordshire in 1890.” Ry the 
President. ( Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 179.) 
2. “ Climatological Observations taken in Hertfordshire in 1890.” 
Ry the President. ( Transactions , Yol. YI, p. 187.) 
Ordinary Meeting, 20th April, 1891, at Watford. 
Jo jin Hopkinson, Esq., E.L.S., E.Gr.S., etc., President, in the 
Chair. 
Mr. Ernest Rrunton and Dr. Henry Case were elected Members 
of the Society. 
The following lecture was delivered:— 
“ Photography Past and Present.” Ry William Coles. 
Yarious experiments were made by Mr. Coles in illustration of 
his lecture. 
