TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 71 
‘On Flint Implements from Abbeville and Amiens. By Dr. Davsuny, F.RS. 
Dr. Daubeny exhibited some flint implements obtained from the post-pliocene 
deposits near Abbeville and Amiens, with a view of eliciting the opinion of tke 
Section with respect to their antiquity, and the possibility of their being formed by 
other than human agency. 
On the last Eruption of Vesuvius. By Dr. Dauseny, F.R.S. 
The author confined himself to those phenomena which appeared to present some 
novelty, and to have a bearing upon the general theory of volcanic action. Vesu- 
vius appears during the last few years to be entering a new phase of action. Its 
eruptions are more frequent, but less violent, than they were formerly ; they proceed 
from a lower level than they did at an earlier period ; and they give vent to cer- 
tain volatile and gaseous principles, such as the vapour of raphtha and light car- 
buretted hydrogen, or marsh-gas, never before detected. The last eruption has 
likewise caused an elevation of the coast to the height of 3 feet 7 inches above the 
level of the sea, which has not been observed to take place on any former occasion. 
In speculating on the causes which have produced these changes in the nature 
of the operations of Vesuvius, the author first considered the theory which recog- 
nizes a second class of volcanos distinct from those ordinarily known as such, and 
designated by the name of mud-volcanos. As these latter are characterized by the 
emission of carburetted hydrogen and naphtha, as well as of semifluid mud, it might 
be suggested by those who regard them as partaking of the nature of volcanos, that 
Vesuvius from emitting these same products was now passing into the condition of 
a mud-yolcano. But the author finds reason for denying that the so-called mud- 
volcanos, of which Macalube in Sicily and Taman in the Sea of Azof are types, have 
anything in common with genuine ones, such as Vesuvius; and he therefore 
contends that the above products are generated simply by the action of volcanic 
heat upon contiguous beds of Apennine limestone containing bituminous matters 
imbedded. Hence would arise the enormous evolution of carbonic acid observed, 
and the carburetted hydrogen as well as vapour of naphtha which accompany it, 
and which may be regarded as the secondary and incidental products of volcanic 
action, whilst the muriatic and sulphurous acids are the primary and essential ones. 
The author concluded by recommending to the explorers of volcanic phenomena, 
an accurate examination of the gases evolved, as the best clue to an explanation of 
the true nature and cause of volcanic action. The latest researches of Deville and 
others on volcanic emanations present nothing irreconcileable with that chemical 
theory which the author has so long espoused; but all he asks of geologists is dili- 
ently to record the facts, chemical as well as physical, which volcanos present, 
instead of contenting themselves with simply referring the eruptions to certain great 
cosmical changes which they imagine to have taken place. 
On the Wokey Hole Hycna-den. By W. Boxp Dawxuss, F.G.S. 
The author described the peculiar features of the den—its accidental discovery, 
it being filled up to the roof with débris, stones, and organic remains—and showed. 
the evidence of human occupation. In tbree areas in the cave he found ashes of. 
bone—either of Rhinoceros or Elephas—associated with flint and chert imple- 
ments of the same type as those of Amiens and Abbeville, and as those of Suffolk. 
They were, however, of ruder workmanship, and possibly are of an earlier date. 
They were found underlying lines of peroxide of manganese and of comminuted 
bone, and overlying, in one of the three areas, remains of the Hyena, which mark 
the old floors of the cave. From this he inferred that “ Man, in one of the earlier, 
if not the earliest, stages of his being, dwelt in this cave, as some of the most 
degraded of our race do at er that he manufactured his implements and his 
weapons out of flint, brought from the chalk downs of Wilts, and the least fragile 
chert of the greensand of the Blackdown Hills, and arrow-heads out of the more 
easily fashioned bone. Fire-using, indeed, and acquainted with the use of the 
bow, he was far worse armed, with his puny weapoas of flint and bone, than his con 
temporaries with their sharp claws and strong teeth. The very fact that he held 
