Report, 8fc. 81 



surface, and of the ashes thrown up along with it. The vines 

 which produce the wine called Lacryma Christi, on the side of 

 Vesuvius are famous, but a still greater proof of the fact is to be 

 found in the triple crops which flourish on the same soil. Every- 

 where )0u see apple trees festooned with vines, orchards and 

 vineyards in one, and though it was not the time of wheat when 

 we climbed Vesuvius, it was evident that corn too would ere long 

 be springing beneath the vines. Such a sight would make an 

 English farmer open his eyes wide. 



I will only add that I hope this very imperfectly scienti6c 

 account of Vesuvius, will be supleraented, or criticised, or 

 corrected, or confirmed, or at least contradicted by either of 

 my two travelling companions. 



Mr. Bowen, who had accompanied Mr. Young to Italy, then 

 stated his ideas about the nature of lava, and described some 

 experiments, illustrating them. 



Mr. Steel described his own experiences of Vesuvius many 

 years ago. 



Thursday, February 20th, 1868. 



The Thirtj'-ninth Meeting of the Society was held at the Presi- 

 dent's House. 



IJowell and Burn were elected members. 



Some remarks were made by the President on the transfor- 

 mation of Natural Forces, showing that force, like matter, is 

 indestructible, and that energy, when apparently lost, is converted 

 into heat, or some other equivalent. 



