ee 
14 
‘natives, and carry it to Gaul, over which it travels on horseback, in about 
‘thirty days, to the mouths of the Rhone.’ 
‘Now, there is much reason for believing the Ictis here mentioned to be St. 
Michael’s Mount, and Belerium, Cornwall.* In the first place, it is not likely 
that there should have been so recently another spot on our shores which was 
an island twice a day at high water, and connected with the mainland at low 
water. In confirmation of this, there was dredged up in Falmouth harbour, 
about forty years ago, a block of tin, of such a shape that Diodorus might 
have compared it to a knuckle-bone, and of such weight that two slung over a 
horse’s back would form a convenient load. In the very faces of many of the 
people, and in the strange foreign names lingering about, there is evidence 
enough of former intercourse with strangers. As for the men and women of 
Cornwall, their fame is told both in song and story. I will only repeat again 
the words of Diodorus, which remain as true now as 2000 years ago. Believe 
me—in that I have personally experienced it—that they are both hospitable 
and civilized in their manners.” 
S. BULLER explained, with experiments, the Structure and Prin- 
ciples of the Davy Lamp. 
R. SHAwE read a paper on the Aurora Borealis of Monday and 
Tuesday, October 22nd and 23rd, from which we extract the fol- 
lowing description of the phenomenon, as seen at Cheltenham :— 
“It was I imagine about § p.m. that a long semi-circular bank of dense 
black cloud extended on the North horizon through the compass points of about 
N.E. and N.W., the arch of the cloud rising above the horizon to an altitude 
of near 20 degrees. From the back of this dark cloud were projected the most 
brilliant rays of luminous light of the deepest crimson and orange with fainter 
green rays, all pointing fanlike to the zenith. The colours exhibited by the 
rays were strongest at either extremity of the arch—to the N.W. and N.E. 
In the centre at the north, the rays merged into a band of almost darkness. 
The display lasted upwards of an hour. ‘The intensity of the projected rays of 
colour, and their changes at either extremity of the arch, were most beautiful, 
and altogether most extraordinary from the height of the projected rays above 
the horizon, the intensity of colour, and the time during which it was visible.” 
In conclusion, the Rev. W. Lewis said a few words on the 
supposed discovery of a crocodile in Wales, showing from private 
information that it was a hoax. 
36 persons were present. 
MEETING HELD NovEMBER 4th. 
Exhibitions :—A Stalactite from Cheddar, with horizontal and 
perpendicular section of Australian Stalactites; as well as Cheddar 
Plants and Photographs, by W. F. Wetts ; Skin of a Rattlesnake, 
by C. Youne. 
W. F. Wexts described the Cliffs and Stalactite Caves at 
Cheddar from personal inspection during the vacation, illustrating 
his remarks by the exhibitions. 
A. PHILLIPs said a few words on the ‘‘Omithorhynchus.” 
C. Younc read a paper on “ Reptiles.” 
After explaining the action and principles of Ruhmkorff’s 
* This theory is due to Sir Charles Lyell. 
