206 PIM ON THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ. [April 11, 1859. 



eastern or southern side would only be extended to a depth of 8*50 metres 

 (28 feet). Its length would be 2500 metres (2734 yards). Their general direc- 

 tion will be from s.w. ^ s. to n.e. z n., and the extremity of one will be 

 slightly deflected, so that the tangent of the two heads should lie exactly s.s.w. 

 and N.N.E., and be exactly 1000 metres in length (1093^ yards). 



" Subsequent investigations have, however, induced the engineers to dis- 

 pense in a great measure with the length of these jetties, the nature of the 

 sand being sufficiently firm to admit of dredging operations being successfully 

 performed. 



** By this means a sheltered roadstead, or outer port, would be formed, em- 

 bracing a superficies of 40 hectares (98 acres), perfectly sheltered from the k.w. 

 winds which prevail along this coast, and bring with them the greatest part of 

 the storms. Vessels will be enabled to enter in all weathers, which is the 

 essential point ; and there will, besides, be a sort of inner road formed by the 

 roadstead betv*-een the jetties. The length of this roadstead will be 1800 

 metres (1968^ yards), measuring from the extremity of the southern jetty, by 

 400 metres (4372 yards). This would form an additional space of 72 hectares 

 (177 acres 3 roods), in which vessels would find shelter and smooth water. 



*' With regard to what Captain Pim states as to the mud of the Nile, I 

 have to say that is a question to which the attention of the engineers was directed 

 with more than usual care. One fact is perfectly certain, no traces of mud are 

 to be found along the shore, and the sand upon it is as pure as it is fine. This 

 sand extends along the bottom, without any admixture, to a depth ranging 

 from 8 to 9 metres (26 to 29^ feet). The mud does not commence until 

 beyond this range, and it is only at a depth of 10 metres (32 feet 8 inches) 

 that pure mud is found, and from thence it stretches out to an indefinite 

 distance in the depths of the Mediterranean. Though here and there a few 

 patches of mud may occur at a less depth, they are of insignificant dimensions, 

 not exceeding 10 to 15 metres (32 to 49 feet) in diameter, and 0*25 to 0*40 

 metres (10 to 15 inches) in thickness. Such deposits are recent and superficial, 

 and have not been subjected to the effects of a storm ; they are of piirely 

 accidental occurrence, and the first gale of wind from the north would entirely 

 disperse them." 



Eleventh Meeting, May 9th, 1859. 



Sir KODERICK I. MURCHISON, President, in the Chair. 



Presentations. — Capt. C. C. Chesney, r.e. ; Capt. K E. Murchison ; 

 Consul W. T. Pritchard ; and K Rawdon Power, Esq. ; were presented 

 upon their election. 



Elections. — X. C. Bailey, r.n. ; R. Fisher, m.d. ; and John Reeve, 

 Esqrs. ; were elected Fellows. 



Exhibitions. — Several Maps and Plans of fortified towns, &c., in 

 Italy, presented by the Government of Eome ; and Maps of United 

 States Harbour Improvements on Lake Michigan; were exhibited. 



The Papers read were : — 



1. Notes on the Lower Danube. By Major Stokes, r.e. 



Communicated by Capt. R. Collinson, r.n., f.r.g.s. 



The "lower" portion of the Danube begins at the Iron Gates, and 



has an entirely different character to that of its upper course. It 



