TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 813 



If we except the second group we see that the Pacific origins are on tbe face or 

 at the bottom of ' deeps,' which iorm portions of the trough or troughs around the 

 eastern and western margins of that ocean. If future soundings show that the 

 indicated exception is only apparent, then the second group will also illustrate the 

 rule that accelerations in secular adjustments of the earth's crust are most frequent 

 where this exhibits the greatest tlexure. 



Inasmuch as there are reasons for believing that each of these earthquakes was 

 accompanied by large meclianical displacements of solid materials, the import- 

 ance of localising the sites where such changes are frequent is evident to those who 

 select routes for deep-sea cables. 



Although we are not in a position to say that these displacements are suf- 

 ficiently large to produce a measurable effect on the moment of inertia of the 

 earth, attention may be directed to the fact that at those times when changes in 

 latitude have been marked large earthquakes have been frequent, whilst when 

 they have been few such changes have been less pronounced. 



Another subject of interest to those engaged in geodetic work is the fact that 

 changes in the rates of pendulum time-keepers may sometimes be traced to tbe 

 imfelt movements of large earthquakes, which so frequently disturb all countries in 

 tbe world. 



6. Report on the Climate of Tropical Africa. — See Reports, p. 413. 



MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. 



The following Papers and Report were read : — 



1. Railivay Connection with India. 

 Bij Colonel Sir T. H. Holdich, K.C.I.E. 



The paper deals with the general geographical conditions of South-west Asia 

 which may favour a scheme of railway connection with Western India, the subject- 

 matter of the successive sections of the paper being as follows : — 



1. The impracticability of the northern approaches to India leading over the 

 Hindu Kush into Kashmir or Afghanistan from the Oxus regions. 



2. The nature of the great transverse water divide of Asia, which includes the 

 Hindu Kush, and the most favourable points for crossing it. 



3. The opening afforded by the Hari End river to the west of Herat. 



4. The configuration of the Persian plateau and mountains, and its adaptation 

 to railway alignment. 



5. Consideration of Persian lines of communication with Western India. The 

 coast-line between Basra, at the head of the Persian Gulf, and Karachi. Details 

 of alignment. Commercial and climatic objections to such a line as far as Bandar 

 Abbas. 



6. Alternative central line from Western Persia to Bandar Abbas. DifS- 

 culties of connection with European systems. 



7. Details of alignment between Bandar Abbas and Karachi. Difficulties 

 of coast line, and possibility of interior central line. 



8. The proposed connection between Kushk and Chamnn (}.e. the Herat- 

 Kandahar line). Geographical conditions that exirt between Kushk aud Herat, 

 and between Herat and Kandahar. Their favourable nature. 



9. Objections which have been raised to the line — political and military. Its 

 commercial prospects. 



10. Conclusion. 



