yo ae Folkestone Natural History Society Founded April 4th, 1868 - 1952-1953 GENERAL NOTES The past season’s programme of lectures was generally recognised as cellent, out- standing being Captain John Noel’s lantern lecture on Everest, and Mr. Walter Murray’s lovely coloured slides of the Wild Life of East Sussex. The business of the Society is conducted by duly elected officers, whose names are recorded in the programme of the Session, and who meet at regular intervals. Attendance at these meetings has been excellent and so consistent, that permission was granted by the Divisional Executive to use the large Committee room at the Divisional Education Office. It is a privilege to be one of this enthusiastic body, many of whom are specialists in their particular field of natural history, and to see all pool their knowledge and experience for the Society. The season was overshadowed by the deaths of Mr. John Walton, former Secretary for 25 years, and Mr. E. D. Bostock, a distinguished entomologist, who passed away within a few days of each other. The Society was represented at both funerals. Mr. Walton’s floral tribute took the form of a large chaplet of wild plants, on which was set a grey Winter Moth made from Old Man’s Beard and the heads of Common Reed ; the Ento- mological Section sent a wreath for Mr. Bostock. Obituary notices will be found at the end of the Transactions. As a memorial to Mr. Walton, inscribed lamps were presented to the local branch of the R.S.P.C.A., and to the Bird Sanctuary at Dungeness. The rest of the money subscribed for the memorial has been used to buy a screen for use at lantern lectures, and a donation was sent to the Avocet Sanctuary in the flooded East Coast area. After 18 years with the Society, Mr. G. Sharpley has been obliged to relinquish his work as lanternist, much to our regret. Mr. A. Howard, a member, has kindly agreed to take his place. As noted in the last Transactions, the Society was able to sell a number of old scientific books and periodicals. We are much obliged to Mr. B. S. Warren, for arranging the sale. Some were returned to their appropriate Societies, who had appealed for back numbers. Among Mr. Walton’s effects were some manuscripts and photographs, which were accepted by the British Museum, and an old book with hand painted plates of Shells, which was presented to the Conchological Society of Britain. Some old posters of 100 years ago, advertising scientific meetings at Dover, were gladly taken by Dover Public Library. The Annual Conversazione is always popular, and the scientific exhibits: were of a’ very high standard. There was a large attendance, which included the Mayor and Mayoress, who stayed for some time. , : IG Mr. Nevin and Miss Hodges again arranged expeditions for the pupils of Shirkdale S.M. School, Sydenham, who were visiting Dymchurch. a On June 26th a party of 24 members of the South London Entomological and Natural History Society came by private bus from London, and spent the day in the Warren, ending with tea at the Valiant Sailor. They expressed themselves as well pleased with their records of Lepidoptera, but apparently saw little or nothing of Coleoptera. Botanical rambles were held from April to October, Members joining these rambles are welcome to bring friends ; it is also advisable to provide own tea, as where the best specimens are, tea rooms aren’t! 1 When Folkestone Flower Show hoped that they would see “the Natural History Society’s traditional exhibit again this year,’ they were doubtless thinking of our long standing responsibility for the wild flower exhibit at the Public Library, for our connection with the Flower Show is of very recent date. The Society’s stand arouses great interest both with towns folk and visitors, and it has enabled several visiting botanists to see living specimens of uncommon local plants for the first time. Owing to the nature of the exhibits, setting up the stand entails a good deal of intensive hard work at top speed in a very short time for collectors, transport, stagers and stewards. The Society is most grateful for the willing help and time given during several hectic days, and in particular oe Mr. P. Coveney, for making two attractive coloured posters for our stand at last season’s show. The list of members will be revised periodically and published in the Transactions. THE SECRETARY. NEGATIVE EVIDENCE E. SCOTT, D.S.O., M.D., F.R.E.S. The field naturalist is mainly concerned with the absorbing study of ecology, the multiple factors that made the pattern of our flora and fauna. This applies to beast, bird, reptiles, insect and plant. It will be appreciated that the ecology of a district is comprehensive and for most of us our study will be restricted to one or two groups. In my own case, I bring to it a better competence in the recognition of lepidoptera and rather less as regards trees, plants and grasses. If we propose to study a small area such as a stretch of downland or a wood what principles shall we adopt to guide us in our search? There are mainly three. Firstly, positive observation, secondly negative observation and thirdly experiment, fortuitous or designed. I propose to discuss each of these briefly. Direct observation is the method of choice. In its application we make a careful survey and record the flora or fauna that we meet with. This is absorbing and completely essential. It entails hard work, close observation and knowledge, hard won in the past and supplemented by home work at the end of the day. Identifications must be worked out meticulously, particularly since the publication of the new ‘“‘Flora.’’ On the whole however, it is a restful exercise as little active thought is required. It forms the basis of local and county lists and can provide thrills in the discovery of rarities and the establish- ment of new records. We must continue over a series of seasons so as to cover the yearly climatic variations, the rotation of crops, the coppicing of woods and other environmental sequences. It is best done by a team of collaborators. The coppicing of woods is usually done every nine years and gives an amazing stimulus to the growth of herbaceous plants exposed to the light for a few years until regrowth closes the canopy over them once more. This is the time to see foxglove, mulleon, primrose and others in their greatest profusion and beauty. It is within the experience of us all. Negative observation is the title of this article and is essential, if we are to view an area in its true perspective. It consists in a separate recording of the absence of locally common plants and animals, by way of illustration. We list the grey squirrel ; the green woodpecker; the nightingale; the nightjar; the fritillaries; white admiral; hairstreaks; plants such as bugle, primrose, honeysuckle, rosebang, wood sage and foxglove, the male 2 and hard fern, grasses such as spreading milium, tufted aira, and sedges such as pendula sylvatica. These and many others should be searched for from the point of view of their absence as well as their presence. This is an intensely stimulating exercise. Why should we not find primrose, for example, when it is common in another wood less than a mile distant. In my own neighbourhood, extensive woodland stretches from Chilham to Eastwell. In the northern half three uncommon plants flourish : the green hellebore, wild columbine and the lady orchid. In the southern half these are absent. Occasionally a single plant of columbine or lady orchis is found but it never spreads and dies out in a few seasons. I have introduced both into my own dell but they do not thrive and show no signs of becoming naturalised. The reason eludes me. It is likely to be due to soil. Negative observation gains results by provoking thought. The third principle provides reasons and enables us to check our results. We do not concern ourselves with laboratory procedure but study the importance of human influence upon environment. Ifa stretch of country is left undisturbed, it eventually attains a state of stability which is termed its climax. Examples of climax vegetation are stretches of moor, bog, shingle, sand dunes, the faces of cliffs, the summits of mountains, there survive beautiful and precious native species of our flora and fauna. In the wilder parts of Britain much of this type of country still survives as such, but our county of Kent owes its diversity and much of its ecological interests to human activity. What climax vegeta- tion remains consists in a very few patches of bog as at Hothfield, shingle as at Dungeness, sand dunes as at Sandwich, beechwoods on the Downs, the chalk cliffs and saltmarshes. It is amazingly restricted to coastal strips. Inland man largely controls the pattern. The faces of the Downs are grazed, ploughed up and quarried. The woods are coppiced, the water meadows are drained, ditches are cleared out yearly. However, although much is lost, much also is gained. The verges of roads, railway banks and quarries provide happy hunting grounds. If the Weald were left untouched its climax would be likely to be impenetrable forest where little undergrowth could survive. These activities are, from our point of view, fortuitous experiments of supreme importance. Seeds are scattered along the roads in shingle brought from elsewhere. Aliens are introduced with crops and sometimes become established. I once saw a large patch of teesdalia on a railway bank near Ashford. The seeds had been tipped there in a load of pebble from Dungeness. Examples of this sort are too numerous to mention here. The Forestry Commission are conducting an experiment of great interest in that they surround their woodlands with rabbit proof fences. One hopes, in the course of years, to see the revival of plants which had been kept under by this tyrannous rodent. A simple and instructive designed experi- ment at our disposal is the attempt to naturalise plants or insects. I once tried to intro- duce Azolla into my pond. It was promptly eaten by the water snails. This plant is common in ditches near Sarre. The water is slightly saline and possibly free of the water snail on that account. The matter requires further investigation. Even a good guess must be substantiated. It is time to bring these somewhat random remarks to a close. I remind you that when you study the ecology of your neighbourhood you do not omit to pay attention to the reverse side. The technique is simple, you draw up a list of “‘probables’’ before you go out and tick them off as you find them. those that are unmarked will remind you of their absence by mute reproach from the page more particularly if some one else discovers them later on. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CHALK J. H. P. SANKEY, B.SC. F.Z.L. Juniper Hall Field Centre Chalk, or calcium carbonate, is a kind of limestone. It is a massive rock with many horizontal and vertical joints and fissures. It may be visualised as a sort of loosely jointed solid sponge. Under it is a lining of clay (the Gault) which maintains a reservoir of water within the Chalk which is readily permeable to rain falling on it. When the surface layers and soil begin to dry the water can pass upwards by capillarity, and thus the whole rock is permanently moist. Chemically the chalk is a base ; that is, it has the opposite pro- perties to an acid which it will neutralise and it thus renders the soil ‘‘sweet’’ because the loam is always base saturated. Chalk soil is typically shallow (except in some valleys) ; it is rarely more than twelve inches in depth. The upper part is rich in humus and plenty of base and there is usually a reasonable amount of moisture though water logging in true chalk soils does not occur. The majority of plants favour a soil which is not deficient in base, hence the large number of species of plants found on chalk soils — a contrast to many acid sandy soils. Chalk is a substance found throughout the animal kingdom. It is probably indis- pensable to life, and it is of particular importance to some animals such as snails and others requiring a high proportion of calcium carbonate in their bodies. The rich chalk flora together with the base saturated soil and humus supports a wealth of animal life. One of the chief features of chalk vegetation is its ability to support a more or less continuous flush of flowering plants from spring to autumn — a fact which bee-keepers appreciate. Many of our rarer flowering plants, such as some of the orchids are strong calcicoles, that is, they require a soil with plenty of calcium carbonate. And itis of interest to note that the Chalk of Kent is favoured by many such rarities, for example, the lady orchid, the late bee orchid and Polygala austriaca Crantz — a small species of milkwort 1,1a, Amongst the more familiar species common everywhere on Chalk must be mentioned marjoram, salad burnet and yellow centaury ; there are many others. Traveller’s joy or Clematis is a good indicator of the presence of limestone and although beech is correctly described as typical of chalk woodlands it occurs also on acid sandy soils. This gives us the concept of those plants which are exclusive to the Chalk 2 and those which are characteristic, that is, they are found on other kinds of soil which are not derived from limestone. Such plants are commonly those which require a soil which does not get too wet ; beech, viper’s bugloss and wood sage are examples. A third category of plants can be recognised. This consists of those which are tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions and which will grow on chalk soils as well as on wet and dry and acid soils. Cleavers, self-heal, daisy and cock’s foot grass are examples. The animals are also divisible into groups though most creatures have a much wider range of habitats than plants. The obligatory calcicoles such as the Roman snail (which curiously does not occur everywhere on Chalk) and round-mouthed snail are familiar species. The rich snail fauna itself can be related to the presence of large quantities of calcium carbonate and the abundance of the glow-worm is correlated with the large numbers of small snails on which it feeds. Insects are much in evidence on the Chalk, especially phytophagous beetles and many heteropterous plant bugs. Their presence is associated with the rich herbaceous flora. The fact that certain food plants are exclusive or characteristic of Chalk country restricts the range of some species. The chalkhill 4 blue butterfly whose larvae feed principally on horseshoe vetch is an example. This is a typical chalk downland insect though it is not absolutely exclusive. A less well known creature — a small harvestspider which is quite unlike the familiar long-legged species found on walls and in vegetation in late summer, is exclusive to Chalk. It is called Trogulus tricarinatus L. Recent work? has shown that not only are small snails one of the principle items of its diet, but that the female lays its eggs in the empty shells. It would serve little purpose to quote numerous examples of plants and animals whose association with the Chalk ranges from intimate to casual. Suffice it to say that thenumber of species and frequently of individual species of both plants and animals of the Chalk country ranks amongst the highest found on any geological formation. The natural history of Chalk is a perennial happy hunting ground for botanist and zoologist. In the south and south-east of England where more favourable climatic conditions obtain than in the east and north-east Chalk country the richness of life is accentuated. More- over, in the south-east of Kent which is a reception area for migrants the Chalk is excep- tionally rich in insects. Folkestone is therefore admirably situated for anyone wishing to make a serious study of chalk plants and animals. Hardly any better opportunity could exist for anyone desiring to make a real contribution to terrestial ecology. REFERENCES 1 (1899), Hanbury, F. J. and Marshall, E.S. Flora of Kent. ta (1950), Walton, J. W. et al. The wild flowers and ferns of the district round Folke- stone. 2 (1949), Tansley, A. G. The British islands and their vegetation. 3 (1951), Peabst, W. Biologische Beobachtungen an einheimischen Troguliden. Zool. Anz. 147:9, p. 267. WEATHER AND PLANT OBSERVATIONS 1952-53 This has been a year of records. Following the Lynmouth floods in August 1952 wintry weather set in very early. It was the coldest August for 20 years, followed by the wettest September for 50. October was cold, and notable for unusually fine autumn colours. Pear tree leaves were deep crimson and even the leaves of small plants like Agrimony were richly coloured. Then followed the worst November for 30 years. Severe storms occurred ; one raged in Rye Bay and in the Thames Estuary, where much damage was done to shipping but, strangely, the sea was quite calm between Dover and Dungeness and over 100 small ships sheltered in Hythe and Eastwear Bays. Persistent wet weather was followed by snow. In December there was dense fog in the Channel for days on end, but Folkestone missed the suffocating fog that choked 4,000 Londoners to death. Snow fell in the middle of the month ; it only lay for one day in Folkestone, but there were deep drifts in other parts of the country. The snow was followed by heavy rain which continued throughout December, except on Christmas morning, which was the sunniest for 40 years. ' On.the last day of January 1953 came the hurricane in Scotland and the disastrous 5 gales and high tides that submerged large areas of East Anglia, Kent and Holland. Some flooding occurred at Dymchurch, but Folkestone and Sandgate escaped, and again ships took shelter in Eastwear Bay while the storm was at its height. Then followed a long dry spell ; no rain fell for 34 days, and it was the driest March for 24 years. The vegetation did not suffer as the soil was saturated. Easter was cold and wet, but vegetation was well forward, and on April 26th bluebells were in flower, and wallflowers coming out. Cold winds persisted through May and the early part of June was wet and cold, but Whitsun was exceptionally fine, the hottest for 10 years, with a shade temperature of 81°. July was the wettest for 30 years, with sunshine much below the average. In spite of several depressingly wet and cold spells, it was the warmest August for 13 years. Sep- tember on the whole was warm and sunny and the first fortnight in October was unusually fine, warm and dry. There were few chalk hill orchids this year, but late Spider was again plentiful, and several specimens of Lady’s Tresses were found by visitors. Purple Sea Rocket was very abundant, and a notable find by a visitor, and later by Mrs. Walton, was the Saffron Thistle or Safflower (Carthamis tinctorius) a native of Southern Europe, in the Warren. Another not very common plant found at Alkham Valley was the Field Wound Wort. An unusual occurrence was the pink colouring assumed by many of the Umbelliferae. Although Bentham and Hooker states that a number of this family have white or pink flowers, it is rare to see anything but white flowers, except a slight pink tinge in Hogweed. This year, however, the pink colouring has been pronounced, especially in Goutweed, Rough Chervil and Wild Carrot. VERA F, P. DAY, N.D.H., F.R.H.S. ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD The main work has been with the Lepidoptera, with an increasing emphasis on the more difficult and less known group of the ‘“‘Micros.”’ In this connection particularly we welcome a new member, Mr. W. L. Rudland, an enthusiast of considerable experience. We also welcome Mr. P. Cue, who is adding much to our knowledge of the distribution of moths in Ashford and some of the local woods. The season although disappointing in some respects has yet been full of interest. Rapid changes are taking place in the flora and fauna of the British Isles, and many of these are first detected in the S.E. corner of England. The members of this Section cover the greater part of E. Kent and omissions of importance in this report are due to the difficulty of keeping in touch with them all. The weather was cold and dry until the middle of May and subsequently there were warm periods alternating with a few days of heavy rain. In consequence emergence was delayed and extended for most species over a long period. The longest fine spell was the first half of September. With a few exceptions migrants have been scarce but given fine weather in October it is not too late for a change even now. As regards butterflies, the season was poor. Even the three common “whites” have 6 been less ‘“‘en evidence”’ and their larvae less of a nuisance than is usually the case. The Orange Tip was common enough. Of the hibernators, the Brimstone alone put in a good appearance. The other early butterflies, including both species of Pearl-bordered Fritil- laries, were generally scarce except in their most favoured haunts. There was some improvement as the season progressed. The Salyrids call for little comment. The Marbled White and Gatekeeper swarmed locally. Their filtration from the downs and woods to the coast levels continues to be accentuated. The Speckled Wood was again seen in a wood near Ashford where it was first detected 2 years ago. Two specimens appeared in my garden at Westwell at the end of September. The large Fritillaries with the exception of the Silver-washed were all scarce and the White Admiral rarely seen. I have no record of the appearance of the Purple Emperor. Our local “‘Melitaea,”’ the Heath Fritillary, put in a brave appearance on a rather inclement Saturday afternoon in late June. On this occasion members of the Section were conducted through the Blean woods by Capt. Dudley Marsh and afterwards entertained at a delightful tea party by Mrs. Marsh in their Herne Bay house. The Hairstreaks were all scarce. I had the pleasure, however, of watching a female Brown Hairstreak ovipositing in a sloe bush near Brook on September 15th. The Vanessids made a poor start but improved later. In July the Peacock was fairly common and during September the Small Tortoiseshell became really abundant. The Comma, scarce after hibernation, is now producing quite a good second brood. Our Secretary saw one large Tortoiseshell in the Spring. The Blues were rather patchy although the Common Blue showed up well in its second brood. A colony of the Silver-studded Blue near Westwell has been almost exterminated by the plough, but still persists precariously on the periphery. As regards migrants, the Red Admiral appeared this Autumn in singles. The Painted Lady put in a brief appearance in June and thereafter just disappeared. Both Clouded Yellows were seen in Folkestone and Westwell at the end of August. It is probable that they are still breeding and that their offspring may brighten the countryside during October. The weather will decide. As regards moths, the year has been encouraging. Our special rarities, many of recent origin, appear to have maintained their footing. I understand that The Varied Coronet (H. compta) was again seen in Dover and that the lovely emerald moth (T. fimbrialis) still flourishes in its restricted haunts. The Ham Street Woods are well known as the home of many rarities. They are haunted yearly by small bands of collectors, some of whose activities are surrounded by a smoke screen of secrecy. Having had help from so many I hesitate to designate the area as behind the Iron Curtain. Two of its prizes are the Lunar Double-stripe (M. /unaris) and the Blue Underwing (C. fraxini). Both appeared this season, the latter in some numbers. One of our Section informed me that he took all four of the British ‘“‘Catocalids,’’ The Red, both Crimsons, and the Blue Underwing on one night. We are fortunate in having a member who combines veracity with such singular good fortune. That elusive insect Jaspidea deceptoria, first taken at - Ham Street, was represented by a single fresh male specimen in May in my house at Westwell. Its headquarters are still indeterminate. Some of the rare or recently discovered species are showing signs of dispersal. The new Geometer, the White-banded Carpet (E. /uctuata) is a case in point. Hitherto it has been found singly over a wide area, but the season has shown that populous colonies exist not only in the Ham Street Woods but also in a wood near Folkestone and at West- well. It is likely to become common in the future. The Water Ermine (S. urticae) was first recorded from the district last year when one or two were taken at Ham Street. This year it has appeared at Westwell. The Gold Spot (P. festucae) has appeared in places such as Westwell and Wye, where it was not previously seen. The Tortrix Cacoecia aeriferana, hitherto only known in Britain from a very small larch plantation at Westwell, also shows signs of spread, single specimens having been taken in the Elham Park Woods 7 and at Brook. Another new Tortrix (Eulia formosana) with records from Ham Street and Folkestone has appeared at Westwell and quite commonly at Wye, where Mr. Rudland has obtained eggs from a female taken in his light trap. The larva of this moth feeds on the Scots Pine and is common on the Surrey heaths from which it is spreading in all directions. Other examples are too numerous to mention. __. With one or two exceptions it is doubtful whether any moths entirely new to East Kent have turned up this season, but the local lists of Folkestone and Ashford have rec- ceived welcome additions. One new moth a noctuid (Calophasia lunula,) is a very recent addition to the British list. A specimen was taken at Ham Street by Mr. Rudland in June and in the Autumn larvae were found feeding on toadflax in an area near the coast. As this moth inhabits Central Europe it is adapted to long Winters and there is a chance of it becoming a permanent resident. Mr. Morley has added three “‘Pugs’’ (Eupithecia), small geometers which may well have been overlooked, and the very beautiful scarce Silver Lines (P. bicolorana) which is widely but thinly distributed in the woods of the Weald. Additions to the Ashford list include a single specimen of the Powdered Wainscot (S. albovenosa) at Wye, a fenland species, and The Crescent (C. leucostigma) at Willes- borough, both taken by Mr. Rudland. The Autimnal Rustie (A. glareosa) appeared at a well attended “‘light’’ party in late August in a wood near Ashford. This was a single male. A few days later Mr. Cue saw five in the same wood attracted to his UVR. These were of both sexes and there is no doubt that the insect is breeding in that locality. This moth is chiefly found in the N. and W. of England and is very rare in the S.E. As regards migrants, 1953 has been strangely temperamental. The Death’s Head (A. atropcs) has turned up recently at Folkestone and one of two Convolvulus Hawks have been recorded from different places. The Delicate (L. vitellina), always an unusual visitor, was taken at Folkestone on September 21st. The White Point (L. albipuncta) has appeared in single specimens in many localities. It is probably a resident in this corner of England. A few specimens of the Bordered Straw (H. peltigera) were noticed in the Summer and larvae are now feeding on the Sticky Groundsel at Dungeness. The Silver Y (P. gamma) appeared late but is now extremely common. The high light of the year has been the appearance of a very rare migrant, the Small Marbled (E. parva), of which a large number have been seen in the S. of England in two broods. Mr. Morley took 4 at light in his garden in May, and Mr. Rudland has taken specimens of the second brood at Wye. It has been much more common than this elsewhere. This little moth is a Noctuid of a rosy colour and can easily be overlooked as a ‘“‘micro”. A true Southerner it is un- likely to maintain itself through the Winter. In this report popular names have been used and in many cases the scientific specific name included in brackets. They are taken from South’s “Butterflies and Moths of the British Isles’ and identification should not be difficult. Most of the new moths are figured in Kirby’s ‘“‘Butterflies and Moths of Europe.” E. SCOTT, D.S.O., M.D., F.R.E.S. ADDITIONAL NOTES __ A specimen of the Black Rustic Moth (Aporophyla nigra) was taken in Folkestone in October, 1952, the first to be recorded in this area, and perhaps the first in Kent. aieaal June 1953 a male specimen of the large Hover-fly (Volucella zonaria) was taken ina house in Folkestone. ‘ , Poe . > A. IM. MORLEY, 0.B.E.,°M.A., F.R.E.S. - = 8 ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION’S RECORD. ~ . Some interesting birds were reported during 1952-53. One of the most notable was a Baird’s Sandpiper on the Wicks. It was first seen by Captain Fluke on September 19th. There had been north-west winds previously, which may have accounted for this American Wader being so far from its normal migration route. This is only the seventh British record for this species. : On October 5th, the sea at Dungeness seemed alive with whitebait which attracted Guillamots, a Razorbill, Red-throated Divers and many Gulls, amongst which were at least five Little Gulls. Gannets were fishing farther out. A great Grey Shrike was seen in Folkestone on October 20th and on the same day Goldcrests were going through. Lesser Redpoles and Siskins were feeding on thistles in a rough field bordering the Hythe Canal on November 15th. On January 10th, six Snow Buntings and one Woodlark were on the sea wall near the Wicks. In the spring Wrynecks were much in evidence in the neighbourhood of Sandgate and the curious call —a high pitched “‘ Quee - quee - quee - quee ”’ could be heard on most days during May and early June. On April 19th two Yellowshank were seen at Cheyne ‘Court and on May 9th, a Ruff, in full breeding plumage, was seen near Grove Ferry. A pair of Cirl Buntings frequented Coolinge Lane for several days at the end of July. On July 27th and again on August 7th, a Hoopoe visited a garden in Hythe: | 1953 has been remarkable for a widespread invasion of Crossbills. In Kent they have been seen at Kingsdown, St. Margaret’s Bay and Hythe. H. M. ROWLAND. ROOKS EATING WALNUTS. One morning I was watching the Rooks, (Corous Trugilegus Trugilegus) in the Walnut trees opposite the machine shop at Drellingore, in the Alkham Valley and noted _ the birds were picking the nuts and taking them to a field nearby. I went closer, and, with the aid of my glasses, observed that the rooks took off the green outside cover, crushed the shell and ate the kernel. W. A. HILL, D.s.M.. FINDS IN GREY CHALK. Some recent finds in the Grey Chalk in the Adit under construction in the Folkestone Water Works Pumping Station at Skeete, Nr. Lyminge. In the early part of September, 1953, a new Adit was started in B Shaft at the Folke- stone Waterworks Pumping Station at Skeete. The shaft, 158 ft. deep, penetrates into the Schloenbachia Varians Lone of the Grey Chalk (Lower Chalk) which in this zone, is very hard but fairly rich in fossils. I have recovered approximately 12 fossils of which 3 are good specimens, the most common one being Ostrea Conica. Others are Lima Plicatula, Terebratula, and two varieties of Inoceramus. Quartz and nodular Iron Pyrites have also been found. - These specimens have, by permission of D. H. B. Reynolds, Esq., M.A., M.I.C.E., and the Directors of the Folkestone Waterworks Co., been offered to and accepted by the Folkestone Museum. W. A. HILL, D.S.M. LONG PURPLES. Ophelia in her madness wove fantastic garlands “‘ Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies and long purples.”” That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do ‘dead men’s fingers’ call them.” ‘Long purples” are generally considered to be the Early Purple Orchis, (O. mascula), and this name certainly suits their rich purple flowers, but “‘ dead men’s fingers ’’ definitely does not: no part of the plant is suggestive of this horrid name, which incidentally is still in use. (Whatever the other name given by “liberal shepherds ’’ may have been, it was evidently too gross even for Shakespeare to repeat!) The plant in question was more likely to be the Spotted Orchis, (O. maculata). Recently I had Occasion to examine a root of this Orchid, and its parchment coloured divided roots are uncannily like tiny dead hands with spread fingers, whereas those of O. mascula are brown and oval, rather like small artichokes. The flowers of the Spotted Orchis, (O. maculata), are usually pale lilac, but sometimes quite a deep mauve, the flower spike is shorter than that of the Early Purple, though occasionally it may be several inches long : the flower stalk is a foot or more high, so that it is a taller plant than average specimens of the Early Purple. It looks as though “‘ Long Purples ’’ and “* dead men’s fingers ’’ are separate plants, and that at some time both names were attached to the Early purple, Orchis mascula, which continued to be called “‘ dead men’s fingers” without reference to its structure. The other flowers in the garland give little clue as to time of flowering, which would have solved the problem, though they suggest early summer, when the Spotted Orchid is in bloom, rather than spring time, when the flowers of the Early Purple are found. VERA F. P. DAY, N.D.H., F.R.H.S. 10 EXCURSIONS. Three excursions were planned for the summer of 1953, the first being to the Garden House, Saltwood in May. Two thousand years ago beavers settled here and blocked the stream. Their work, helped by Nature over centuries, built up the soil, free from chalk, which forms the lovely garden in which flourish beautiful flowering shrubs. On Saturday, June 27th, we accepted Mr. Shannon’s invitation to visit the Bird Observation Station at Dungeness and en route halted at the partially restored Parish Church of Lydd. The Rector, Mr. Finch, met the party and introduced Mr. Charles Spon. The last named related the history of the Church and drew attention to the jam jar types of windows, the 15th century ornaments on the Choir stalls and the Dutch brass hanging lamps. After tea we journeyed to Dungeness, where we were welcomed by Mr. Shannon, Hon. Secretary of the Kent Ornithological Society. Sunny skies of earlier hours were now filled with black clouds. Mr. Nevin pointed out the number of swifts flying over and when rain ceased, led some members to the traps. Some remained in the coaches and were cheered by the blue of the Viper’s Bugloss rising above the shingle. The last excursion was to East Malling Research Station when trees were laden with ripening apples, pears and peaches. This station, the home of the Twysdens until the death of the last Baronet in 1937, is now the most important experimental farm in the world. Here research is pursued in the methods of cold storage, the growth and ripening of fruit, the uses for which fruits are needed and the dealing with pests, such as the red spider and the woolley aphis. We were shown various apple trees and told experiments had been made on these for forty years and, would probably be made for another fifteen years before satisfactory results could be secured. Further details of each excursion could be given but space forbids. A. J. WRIGHT, F.R.G.S. 11 OBITUARY NOTICES. JOHN W. WALTON, F.G.S., F.L.S. In recalling the work of our late dear friend and Hon. Secretary, we may refer to the founding of the Society in 1868. His father, Mr. G. C. Walton, F.L.s. came first to Sandgate and afterwards to Folkestone as a Dentist, and was a member at an early date. He read his first paper on a collection of wild flowers, in 1881, was elected to the Committee in 1882, and Chairman in 1891. He gave a series of lectures on a wide range of subjects brought out a list of local plants and flowers, and was President from 1905 till his death. John attended the Harvey Grammar School in 1889 and was always top of the class. His geological and botanical researches took him all over the country with his camera and collecting satchel. He was a good organist and pianist and very active in spite of progressive disability which would have discouraged most people. As a member of the Society, except when away at Edinburgh, etc., he assisted his father and was elected to the Committee in 1914, becoming Hon. Secretary from 1923 to 1948, and Hon. Treasurer 1924 to 1935. .He initiated, edited, and financed the Hand- book of 1925, he organised many excellent excursions, and secured a succession of eminent lecturers, reviving the Society after the difficult War years. He was also Curator of the Museum for some time and rearranged and extended the exhibits. Many of us recall his genial nature and ready response to enquiries, and his fine collection: of books, papers, photographs and specimens. We also wholehéartedly recognise the good work of Mrs. Walton, without which many of John’s activities would have been impossible, as well as her own active leadership in the Society, which we hope will continue for many years. , J. L. Dunk. EDWARD DILLON BOSTOCK, F.R.E.S. A member of this Society died in February 1953, at his home in Pelham Gardens at the age of 87. He came to Folkestone from Stone in Staffordshire in 1935 and was one of the original members of our Entomological Section. He was as well known as a philatelist as an entomologist and his fine collection of stamps was referred to in the Folkestone Herald of February 25th. His equally fine collection of butterflies and moths included many rarities, and is to be sold by auction in London in the near future. Especially famous was his series of 90 British Large Coppers, a series which was unequalled in any other private collection. He generously presented a large number of moths to the Folkestone Museum. His active days of collecting were spent mainly in Staffordshire, but in 1948 and again in 1949, when the Section made expeditions to the Warren, he astonished us by his activity in descending from the Royal Oak to Sea level and making the steep climb back again. 12 : Mr. Bostock endeared himself to us all by his quiet and unassuming manner. At _ sectional meetings he would produce surprising rarities with an apologetic air, and his modesty concealed an extensive knowledge of Lepidoptera and other insects. 4 Although he was a man of considerable wealth he was quite content during the latter part of the war to live alone in his rather large house and do his own catering and cooking. A. M. MORLEY. 13 “IOVIPNY IST ‘LVOW GUVHOrY (pouszis) ee st) 01109 puNno pur poIpNy a ae atone Sie Tel drysrsquioyy #9 LI 6€IF #9 LI 6€IF SF 1 BI ae yueg je puey ul Yyse) #01 SI 971 9 OF is ik ve sodivey) yueg 0 ¢ ee ee ee yoog enbeyD 0 &tI €l ae "* gosuedxs SUOISeZIDAUOZ) € OLE os rie sosyodxd MOYS JOMO]Y 9 0 @ ai > "* sorjInyeIy cs 0 OT ee "* pepunjel suondrissqngs - 0 + OL suorj}des [[e@ SoUOyds]o} pue sosejsog 0 ZI 6I “* WOeAA UYOL “IP 93eT JO 9 ZI I Jopjod Ydeony uo UOl}dIIDsUT AIOWOU UI PSATID0I SUOTINGIIZUOD 0 STE ae S19}SOd 0 0 Ol ¥ ** woneorqnd sIomopy 0 0 +i ie ip cae "* y0yqS PIEM JO 1809 Avljop Ayjensied 07 souL[eg pure sIoquisyy JO IST] SuIdA |, UOTIBOTIGnd sIOMOY PII AA Joooue UO}EM ‘SIP WOIJ UONeUOp [eINedg ote sIoquisy JO UONdIIOsqng \o a) = >a) wv foe) = Ve) \o win = wv = “req sulpnpour ATOUON LIS ‘SulUlIg "* JOO 3 PosATeseI TOMNGII}VUO) 9 0 0 (s1voA 9 _ sngoTeyeD SIOMO[A PIEM JO 22S 4) AYOIDOG DYHUSINS 0} uONeolddy 0 : "* — sormpuns 9 "* S@plTs Jo uonepndueyy 0 a i Jo[YOoY pjo jo aes 9 ae ag sosuodxy 4 es ae SUOISINSXy UO WVOIg yox90d jo 3no pue soo,J SiIoIn}oo_ v ae ZS-1S6][ Woy soueleg RS g [Dyas é} “€S-TS6[ TANLIGNAd XY "€C-7S6[ SLdldOAy RESIGNATIONS. Bartelous, Miss Bowles, E. Mr. Clarke, N. J. Mr. Collins, Miss. Dubois, Madam. Fretwell, Miss Gower, Miss. Hall, E. S. Mr. Hannan, Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Jarvis, Miss. Latter, Mr. Lavery, Mr. Patterson, Miss. Philips, Miss. Ransom, Dr. Reynolds, Mr. Self, Mr. Self, Mrs. Shacklock, Miss. Loss BY DEATH. Bostock, E. D. Mr. Hall, E. S. Mrs. Walton, J. Mr. RESIGNATIONS AND NEW MEMBERS. New MEMBERS Miss Thomas, 4 Chichester Villas. Mrs. Thomas, 20 Leaside Court. Miss H. G. Forsaith, 1 Nailsdown Road, Seabrook. Mrs. Brewer, 15 Chirnall Road, River, Dover. Miss G. Whewell, 4 The Grove, Barham. Miss I. G. Ellen, 151 Cheriton Road. Miss D. Elwin, Bedingfield, Lyminge. Smith, R. Mrs. CADETS. Standing I. Miss Wright, Major. Masters : Wright, Mrs. Ian Williams Wheeler, Mrs. Carl Williams, Norman, R. K. Mr. Scrivener, T. Mr. Stewart, D. Mr. Williams, S. Mr. 15 29 Morehall Avenue. es 5 pt yess Ps = + : a is : es 7 ~ ae =) <¥ Ds Printed by F. J. Parsons (Kent Newspapers) Ltd., The Bayle, Folkestone emt Principal Officers 1953-54 | President . General Secretary : Miss Vera F. es os N. ee ERI H. Assistant coe Seon A. oa Boe PROS. Hon. Treasurer : sh 1, Richmond House, The » Par