476 Beports and Proceedings — 



th© east and east-central counties of England, in Marcli last, in raising 

 the levels of the water in the wells of Colchester and elsewhere. 



More detailed information is still required as to the proportion 

 of actual rainfall absorbed by various soils, over extended periods 

 representing typical dry and wet years. Information on these heads 

 and on other points of general interest bearing on the percolation 

 of underground waters, referring to observations made in Canada or 

 the United States, would be gladly welcomed by the Committee, and 

 would be incorporated in their eleventh and final report to be 

 presented next year. 



Yoiir Committee seek reappointment, but do not require a grant, 

 as they have forms of inquiry on hand, and did not require to 

 expend the whole of the grant of last year, a portion of which only 

 has been drawn. 



Appendix — Copt of Questions. 



1. Position of well or shafts with ■which you are acquainted ? \a. ^ia,t& date a.i 

 which the well or shaft was originally sunk. Has it been deepened since by sinking 

 or boring ? and when ? 2. Approximate height of the surface of the ground above 

 Ordnance Datum (mean sea-level) ? 3. Depth from the surface to bottom of shaft 

 or well, with diameter. Depth from surface to bottom of bore-hole, with diameter ? 

 Qi. Depth from the surface to the horizontal drift-ways, if any ? What is their 

 length and number ? 4. Height below the surface at which water stands before and 

 after pumping. Number of hours elapsing before ordinary level is restored after 

 pumping? 4a. Height below the surface at which the water stood when the well 

 was first sunk, and height at which it stands now when not pumped ? 5. Quantity 

 capable of being pumped in gallons per day of twenty-foui- hours ? Average quantity 

 daily pumped P 6. Does the water-level vary at different seasons of the year, and to 

 what extent ? Has it diminished during the last ten years ? 7. Is the ordinary 

 water-level ever affected by local rains, and, if so, in how short a time ? And how 

 does it stand in regard to tlie level of the water in the neighbouring streams, or sea ? 



8. Analysis of the water, if any. Does the water possess any marked peculiarity ? 



9. Section, with nature of the rock passed through, including cover of Drift, if any, 

 with thickness? Qa. In which of the above rocks were springs of water intercepted? 



10. Does the cover of Drift over iherucV coniam surface springs? 11. If so, are 

 these land springs kept entirely out of the well ? 12. Are any large faults known 

 to exist close to the well ? 13. Were any brine springs passed through in making 

 the well? 14. Are there any salt springs in the neighbourhood ? 15. Have any 

 wells or borings been discontinued in your neighbourhood in consequence of the 

 water being more or less brackish ? If so, please give section in reply to query No. 9. 

 16. Kindly give any further information you can. 



11. — On the Geology of South Afkioa. 

 By T. EuPEKT Jones, F.E.S., F.G.S., etc. 



THE contour of the south coast is parallel with the outcrop of the 

 strata in the interior, from Oliphant's Eiver (31° 40' S. Lat.) 

 on the west coast, southward to the Cape, and then eastward to about 

 33° 30' S. Lat. Here the edges of the strata, formerly bending round 

 to the north, have been swept away to a great extent ; but their 

 outcrop is again seen on the east coast at St. John's Eiver (31° 40' 

 S. Lat.), where they strike northeastwardly through Natal, probably 

 far up the country. 



1. Gneissic rock and the Namaqualand Schists apparently underlie 

 the others, coming out on the north-west and exposing a narrow 

 strip on the south coast. 2. Mica-schists and slates, interrupted by 

 granites here and there, form a curved maritime band, from about 



