770 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 



started fi'oui 8auta Ilosa, ou the Peruviau Corporation railway. On the steep 

 eastern slope of the Andes a notable variety in succession of temperature, scenery, 

 and vegetation was observed, as were remains of a former population. The 

 present population is mainly Quichua, with wboin the Atsahuaca, of whom there 

 are few, strongly contrast in their excellent nature and disposition. The Atsa- 

 huaca are nomad hunters and monogamists, and are nearly extinct in the 

 Inambari valley. The author quoted at some length from the survey report; 

 the work carried out is the most complete survey yet made of this part of the 

 continent. Ilubber and trading companies are gradually opening up the country. 

 The forests of the Inambari abound in fine Para rubber-trees of the Hevea 

 variety, 



2. Unique Experiences at the Birth of a Volcano. 

 By Rev. George Furlong. 



The author witnessed, in August 1905, the birth and development of the 

 Volcano, now called O Le Mauga Mu, in Savaii, which island exhibits lava-fields 

 in almost every stage of formation. After a period of earth unrest, two fissures 

 opened on August 4, flame-coloured steam and vapour broke forth with heavy 

 explosions, and masses of diSbris were ejected which soon began to build up the 

 crater. Streams of lava carrying other matter rolled from the vent ; their rate of 

 progress was calculated at half a mile in twenty-four hours. The behaviour of 

 these lava-streams was watched and described in detail by the author. He points 

 out (among other phenomena) that the surface of the lava quickly solidified, and 

 thus a tunnel was formed through which the flow went on, so that between the 

 crater and tlie vast columns of steam where the lava reached the sea it was 

 difficult to realise that volcanic action was in progress. It was noted that the 

 volcano was more active during the period of full moon than of waning moon ; 

 also that the fumes from the volcano were not always of the same nature. 

 Several tidal waves were experienced, always in the same place ; they were about 

 600 yards wide, and flowed inland from iOO to 120 yards. These waves were 

 observed to occur when the crater was more than usually active. 



Report on the Exploration of Prince Charles Foreland, Spitsbergen, 

 See Reports, p. 306. 



4. The Marble Arch Caves in Co. Fermanagh.^ 

 By Harold Brodrick, M.A, 



Three streams flow down the northern slope of Ouilcagh and sink into the 

 litnestone at three points about a quarter of a mile apart ; the central stream goes 

 by the name of the Monastir. The narrow limestone valley through which it 

 runs is cut ofl; at its lower end, by a limestone cliff 130 feet high. The cave at 

 the base of this has a total length of 40 yards, and ends in a fissure of unknown 

 height. Within 40 yards of the top of the clift" is a pot-hole (PoUbwee) 100 feet 

 deep, with a pool aud a narrow passage CO feet in length at the bottom. Further 

 north is an opening in the moor called Polinagapple ; this is a pot-hole with .i 

 diameter of 80 feet and a depth of 60 feet. Its floor is composed of jambed 

 boulders, below which the river can be heard j a high cave with good stalactitic 

 deposits leads from the bottom of this pot. About 150 yards further north is 

 Cradle Hole— a pot-hole 80 yards in diameter and 120 feet deep; at the base are 

 two caves in which the stream is met with ; upstream the passage, 15 feet wide 



' A full account of these caves, with planS) will be published in the Irish 



A^atiiralisi. 



