Reports and Proceedings. 263 



lasiPOi^TS JLisTiD iPiROOiBEiDiisrca-s. 



Gkological Socett of London. — I. April 25, 1866. — Warington 

 W. Smyth, Esq., M.A., F.E.S., President, in the Chair. The follow- 

 ing communications were read : — 1. "Additional documents relating 

 to the Volcanic Eruptions at the Kaimeni Islands." By Commander 

 Brine, of H.M.S. " Eacer." Communicated by the Lords Commis- 

 sioners of the Admiralty. 



Li these documents it was stated that the active volcano now 

 forming part of Neo Kaimeni Island continues to increase in size by 

 the addition of volcanic matter ejected from the crater, and that the 

 rate of increase of the new island situated to the south-west, near St. 

 George's Bay, is considerably less than at first. The new island 

 contains the crater of a second volcano, 30 feet in height, with a 

 circular base of 300 yards ; and, judging from the soundings obtained 

 at Paleo Kaimeni and St. George's Bay, it is probable that the island 

 will eventually fill up the bay. 



2. "Eeport to the Eparch of Santorino on the Eruptions at the 

 Kaimeni Islands." By M. Fouque. Communicated by Sir E. I. 

 Murchison, Bart, K.C.B., F.E.S., F.G.S., etc. 



Since the eruptions at Santorino, earthquakes have become much 

 less violent in the surrounding country, and the fears of the in- 

 habitants have been unnecessarily great. A new fissure has been 

 opened between George Island and Aphroessa ; and lava and torrents 

 of steam have issued from this vent, as well as much gas. The non- 

 existence of a crater was considered by M. Fouque to be due to the 

 small quantity of ejected matter and the feebleness of the eruption. 

 M. Ste. -Claire Deville has shown that there exists a certain relation 

 between the degree of intensity of a volcano in action and the nature 

 of the volatile elements ejected ; and M. Fouque has been enabled 

 to establish the truth of this law. Thus, in an eruption of maximum 

 intensity, the predominant volatile product is chloride of sodium, 

 accompanied by the salts of soda and potash ; an eruption of the 

 second order gives hydrochloric acid and chloride of iron ; in the 

 third degree, sulphuric acid and salts of ammonia ; and in the fourth, 

 or most feeble phase, steam only, with carbonic acid and combustible 

 gases. The eruption at Neo Kaimeni has never exceeded the third 

 degree of intensity ; and when it excited the greatest alarm, it gave 

 off only sulphuric acid, steam, and combustible gases. 



3. " Eemarks upon the Interval of Time which has passed between 

 the formation of the Upper and Lower Valley-gravels of part of 

 England and France ; with notes on the character of the Holes bored 

 in rocks by MoUusoa." By A. Tylor, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S. 



The difficulties attending investigations into the relative ages of 

 gravel-deposits having been stated, and a resume given of the steps 

 by which the opinions now current on the subject had been arrived 

 at, Mr. Tylor proceeded to combat the view that the Upper and 

 Lower Valley -gravels are separated from each other by a long interval 



