ON THE VOLCANIC PHENOMENA OF VESUVIUS. 227 



these changes took place from tbe eastern depression, the crater rim 

 assumed an iri'egular oval plan — the larger end being towards the 

 east. Early in November the upper part of the eastern slope of the 

 great cone showed a considerable rent, nearly on the site of that of 1881-2, 

 and about half-way down the mountain another opening, from which issued 

 some of the lava during the last two months, and near which it probably 

 now issues and flows under cover to the Val d'Inferno, where it appears 

 at the surface. In November there was also to be seen a new fissure on 

 the crater-plain (1872) in a N.E. direction, whilst the long one running 

 due west has become much more marked from the advanced decomposition 

 of its edges by the escape of the acid vapours. From that time up to the 

 present the lava has continued to ooze in a few small streams near the base 

 of the great cone at the junction of the Val d'Inferno with the Pedimen- 

 tina. In the meanwhile, with slight intervals, a cone of eruption has been 

 built up gradually at the crater-bottom, whilst the inner sides of the 

 latter were thickly lined by a mantle of scoria cakes. This is fairly well 

 shown in the photograph exhibited, which is the only one of any interest 

 amongst those taken this year. 



Exhibited at the meeting is the first volume of ' Lo Spettatore del 

 Vesuvio e dei Campi Flegrei,' published by the Neapolitan section of the 

 Italian Alpine Club. It is a revival in name of a somewhat similar pub- 

 lication of some thirty years ago. Its object is to record and publish any 

 scientific observations on the Neapolitan volcanic region. The present 

 number contains memoirs by Professors Comes, Palmieri, Palmeri, Riccio, 

 Scacchi, and the reporter. The latter memoir consists of the detailed ob- 

 servations on Vesuvius during a space of four years, illustrated by three 

 figures and thirteen phototype reproductions of photographs, all being the 

 work of the reporter. These photographs have been exhibited in Section 

 C during the last three years.^ It is the intention of the publishers to 

 continue to issue numbers from time to time if sufficient support can be 

 found to cover the expenses. While speaking of this part of the subject, 

 the reporter has received much help fi'om local friends, and is particularly 

 indebted to Mrs. T. R. Guppy and Mrs. Lavis for carefully carrying on 

 observations on the activity of Vesuvius during his absence or illness. 



The fifth sheet of the geological map of Monte Somma and Vesuvius 

 has been completed, and is exhibited at the meeting, whilst the sixth is 

 nearly so, but owing to the outburst of cholera at Resina and some other 

 of the Vesnvian communes the five or six other field days necessary to finish 

 it were not obtainable. Even had this been the case there would have 

 been insufficient time to make a clean copy for exhibition at this meeting. 

 The sheet presented required much negative work in the valleys and on 

 the slopes of Monte Somma, and the detail work on the southern part 

 took much time. As a portion of this sheet has been worked at different 

 times, and no account kept, it is difficult to estimate the number of field 

 days, but it would be within the truth if placed at twenty-five. 



The only work now remaining to finish the geological map may be 

 summed up thus : about six field days to complete the last sheet ; about 

 one week's work in the Atrio del Cavallo to map in that region with its 

 dykes on the three different sheets upon which it appears ; and about six 

 field days to different localities where new exposures, roads, and excava- 

 tions have been made ; so that the reporter hopes next year to exhibit the 

 whole map in manuscript and, if possible, a printed copy. 



' A copy of the volume is exhibited. 



