286 Scientific Meeting in Germany. 



earthquake of 25th July 1855 in the Visp-Thal, Canton of Valais. 

 An investigation of the manner in which this earthquake operated 

 showed the opinion which refers these phenomena to the develop- 

 ment of subterranean gases, or to fluctuations of the earth's (hypo- 

 thetical) fiery-fluid interior, to be mechanically inadmissible. On 

 the other hand, there existed, in the structure of the Valais moun- 

 tains, conditions which necessarily led to the movement of portions 

 of the mountain masses. These were strata of gypsum under- 

 lying slate and Jurassic masses of immense thickness, aud thermal 

 springs containing large quantities of this gypsum in solution. 

 This was withdrawn from the earth ; the underlying stratum was 

 eroded ; and the sinking of the overlying strata became inevitable. 



Of the twenty springs of Leuk, a single one conveyed away from 

 the soil of Valais no less than 60,000 cubic feet of gypsum annually. 

 With the efforts of the subsidence of an undermined mass, and 

 of the propagation in the strata of the earth of the impetus there- 

 by conveyed to the solid substratum, the phenomena exhibited in 

 the Valais earthquake entirely corresponded. The results of the 

 speaker's inquiries were given in detail in a work of which two 

 volumes had already appeared, and the third was now in the press. 



The map belonging to this third volume, exhibiting the diffusion, 

 intensity, and directions of movement of the Valais earthquake, 

 together with the tables belonging to the two first volumes, with 

 graphic representations of the relative frequency of earthquakes in 

 different years and at different periods of the year in the various 

 districts of Switzerland, were laid before the meeting. 



Dr. Abich spoke on the subject of mud volcanoes, and their im- 

 portance for geology. He founded this importance on an analysis 

 of the history of the development of these formations as they occur 

 in the environs of the Caucasus, particularly in the two Caucasian 

 peninsulas Taman and Apsoheron and endeavoured to establish 

 the following propositions : — 1. The stratographic facts of the be- 

 fore named localities aff jrd a proof that the structure of these for- 

 mations, notwithstanding the Neptunian origin of the masses of 

 which they are composed, is determined by precisely the same 

 laws which regulate the various forms of mountains composed of 

 strictly Vulcanic masses that have arisen in the mode of igneous 

 fluidity. 2. The distribution of those small independent systems 

 of mountains is most distinctly subordinate to the grand lines 

 which determine the direction of mountain ranges, and therewith 

 the fundamental features of our continents. 3. The linear group- 



