ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS 141 



Discussed by Frank Leverett, W. M. Davis, H. F. Reid, and Ernst 

 Antevs. 



IS THE PRESENT TEE FIRST OF A NEW CHAPTER.' 

 BY ALFRED C. LANE 



(Abstract) 



Wells' History, page 12, considers the Quaternary as the last page of a 

 chapter. But if with Sehuehert we consider periods to be marked off by the 

 alternate domination of forces of elevation and degradation, the beginning of 

 the period being placed when forces of degradation begin to get the upper 

 hand, there are reasons for considering the present the beginning of a new 

 chapter. 



The age of the earth comes out so much less by using present erosion, depo- 

 sition, or accumulation of soda in the ocean than by the methods based on the 

 rate of uranium decay, that it is suggested that the former rates are abnor- 

 mally active, as would be the case when the continents stood relatively high. 

 On the other hand, the presence of the continental shelf and the widespread 

 occurrence of drowned shorelines suggest that the forces of degradation are 

 once more gaining the upper hand. Unless the present is an interlude therein, 

 the Glacial period would seem to correspond to the Permian Glacial period and 

 the present to the Triassic. 



Eead from manuscript, with lantern-slide illustration. 



HOT SPRINGS OF LASSEN NATIONAL PARK 

 BY A. L. DAY AND E. T. ALLEN 



( Abstract) 



Aii account of a detailed chemical and physical study of the hot springs and 

 "mud volcanoes" of the localities known as "The Geyser," "Lake Tartarus," 

 "Devil's Kitchen," "Bumpass' Hell." Chemical analyses of the liquid, gaseous, 

 and solid ingredients will be presented, together with an account of conditions 

 favorable to the formation of pyrite and other minerals found in the springs. 

 The temperatures of the springs and their seasonal variations are included. 



Presented extemporaneously by the junior author. Lantern slides 

 were used. 



RECENT ERUPTION OF LASSEN PEAK 

 BY A. L. DAY AND E. T. ALLEN 



The volcanic phenomena accompanying the eruptions of 15)14 and 1915 will 

 be described, and analyzed with the help of photographs, together with appro- 

 priate comparisons with recent volcanic activity elsewhere and some infer- 

 ences regarding proximate causes. The paper is related to the preceding, and 

 the matter is treated both from the physical and chemical viewpoints. 



Presented extemporaneously by the senior author. Lantern slides 

 were used. 



