194 
interpretation of the ancient mythologies and throw consider- 
able light upon the nature of the Greek and Roman rituals. 
Mr Grorak WILLtaAMs enquired whether Mr Palmer could 
give any information about the Metawaleh, and whether their 
tenets in any way resembled those of the Nuseirfyeh. 
Mr PALMER replied that the Metawaleh were simply a sect 
of the Sheans, but that there was a slight connexion in that 
they held Ali in peculiar respect. 
Dr Campion enquired whether the Nuseirfyeh practised 
sacrificial rites, 
Mr PALMER replied that they sacrificed sheep and offered 
libations of wine; and that not later than 300 years ago (on 
the authority of Arab historians) they offered human sacrifices. 
Nov. 14, 1870. 
The PRESIDENT (PROFESSOR CAYLEY) in the Chair. 
Communications made to the Society: 
(1) On a pipe in the chalk at Alum Bay.. By Professor 
Liverna. 
The peculiarity of this pipe is that it has a horizontal or nearly 
horizontal direction. It is seen at the S.E. corner of Alum Bay, 
where the surface ef the chalk has been exposed by the wash- 
ing away of the abutting clays, and presents no uncommon 
features except its direction ; it is lined pretty equally all round 
with a layer of weathered chalk having a banded appearance 
from infiltration of iron, and is filled in the usual way with 
loose material, including some large flints such as are strewn 
over the surface of the chalk at its junction with the clays 
above, It is hardly possible to resist the conclusion that this 
pipe was formed before the chalk assumed its present highly- 
inclined position, for if it were merely a bent arm proceeding 
