296 Notices respecting New Booh. 



in a highly satisfactory manner, the details given in the present 

 volume leave no room to doubt ; yet however assured we may be 

 in this respect, we cannot help thinking that, so far at least as 

 regards the meridional arc, it is important that the final results 

 should be given under the highest scientific authority. It appears 

 to us, therefore, to be desirable, that, on the completion of the 

 triangulation (in the present year, or whenever it may happen), the 

 observations should be transferred to the Astronomer Royal, to 

 whose department in fact the determination of the meridian may be 

 considered as properly belonging in order that the length of the arc 

 may be deduced under his direction and superintendence. The 

 mapping of country could not possibly be better executed than it 

 has been under the present arrangements. 



A Description of Active and Extinct Volcanos, of Earthquakes, and of 

 Thermal Springs, ivith remarks on the causes of these phccnomena, 

 the character of their respective products, aiid their influence on the 

 past and present condition of the Globe. By Charles Daubeny, 

 M.D., F.R.S. (Second Notice.) 



The subject of thermal springs has attracted a large share of Dr. 

 Daubeny's attention. From their chiefly occurring in the vicinity 

 of volcanos, or along lines of geological disturbance, as well as 

 from the peculiar chemical products which they contain, he shows 

 that in the majority of cases they must be intimately connected with 

 volcanic operations. Nevertheless, we are disposed to qualify this 

 generalization in the case of thermal springs no less than of earth- 

 quakes. Whatever opinion may be held as to the fluidity of the 

 earth's nucleus, there is no denying that the interior of the earth (as 

 far as we know it) is hotter than the surface. A thermal spring 

 therefore, when it occurs at a distance from the direct heat of an 

 active volcano, merely means a spring which rises from a great depth, 

 of which we have a notable instance in the artificial hot-spring of 

 Grenelle, obtained by boring in the middle of the Paris basin, at a 

 great distance from volcanic operations or disturbed strata. A na- 

 tural hot-spring of course implies the existence of a deeply extend- 

 ing fissure, up which it finds a vent ; and if we admit that other 

 causes besides volcanos have had a share in breaking up the crust 

 of the earth, these causes would also contribute to bring thermal 



Mr. Wyld, to whom we should give credit for practical knowledge, was of 

 ophiion " that the survey undertaken for the Sanitary Commission was 

 entirely unnecessary, a waste of public money, and would not answer the 

 purpose contemplated." Colonel Anson stated that six persons were em- 

 ployed and that the expense already incurred would " probably be under 

 1000/., and that he believed matters were on a very excellent footing." 

 Lord Morpeth spoke of a " moderate sum." His predecessor, Lord Lin- 

 coln, stated that the estimates had risen from 25,000/. to 100,000/. Ac- 

 cording to Mr. Wyld, a similar survey of Dublin had cost 200,000/. Mr. 

 Wyld stated that " there had been sufficient surveys provided for London 

 under the Parochial Assessment's Act, for which the inhabitants had already 

 paid 300,000/." 



