528 Miscellaneous — Prof. Hull ; Geological Survey. 



from the ordinary tidal- and wave-currents, but now M. Fol in the 



tideless Mediterranean has done so, and what is of so much impor- 

 tance has clearly distinguished them from such wave- and tidal- 

 currents. As already stated, M. Fol's currents cannot be tidal, but 

 no more can they be attributed to ordinary storm waves, as Mr. 

 Stirrup states that the disturbance is felt nearly as much at 30 metres 

 as at 10 metres. This is also indicated by the character of the 

 motion which is said to make the diver oscillate like a pendulum. 

 An ordinary storm wave would impart more or less of a circular 

 motion. 



These wave-currents appear to originate in those swinging waves 

 which, for lack of a better name, I have termed wind-pressure 

 waves. They are moreover quite in their place in the Mediterranean, 

 a sea which is subject to considerable changes of water-level from 

 strong winds. 



With respect to the English Channel, the tidal currents alone 

 seem powerless to disturb the weakest organism, but occasional 

 storms appear to hurl about gravel as though it were sand, and to 

 give the fauna in general a decidedly bad time of it. 



Mr. Stirrup's letter clears up the chief outstanding unexplained 

 point in the problem of the action of waves and currents on the 

 floor of the Channel, and I can only repeat my very sincere thanks 

 for the same. A. E. Hunt. 



Southwood, Torquay. 



nvniscsXjX.Jk.isrEOTJS. 



Geological Survey of Ireland and the Eoyal College of 

 Science. — We regret to learn that Professor Edward Hull, LL.D., 



F. R.S., severed his connexion upon the 30th September with the 

 Geological Survey of Ireland, of which he has been Director for a 

 period of nearly 21 years. He retires from the service con- 

 sequently upon the completion of the one-inch Geological Survey 

 of the country. Messrs. G. H. Kinahan, A. B. Wynne, R. J. Cruise, 

 and W. F. Mitchell, have also retired from the service ; Mr. Kinahan 

 having served with distinction for a period of 36 years. A small 

 staff has been retained, whose duty it is to keep the maps up to date, 

 to give technical information to persons interested in mineral and 

 similar developments, and to attend to the Survey collection now 

 displayed in the new Science and Art Museum. Mr. J. Nolan (senior 

 geologist) has been appointed chief of the local staff, and there 

 remain with him Messrs. F. W. Egan, J. R. Kilroe, A. McHenry, 

 Dr. J. S. Hyland, and Mr. R. Clarke (Fossil Collector). Professor 

 Hull also resigns his position as Professor of Geologj' at the Royal 

 College of Science, which he had held conjointly with the Director- 

 ship of the Survey. We have much pleasure in stating that Mr. 



G. A. J. Cole, F.G.S., who for several j'ears has been assistant to 

 Prof. Judd at the Normal School of Science, and has done much 

 original work in Petrology, has been appointed to the vacant 

 Professorship. 



