382 Reports and Proceedings, 



from the Culmschiefer, between Gera and Weyda ; and his Trigono- 

 carpus (?) Boessleri from the Lower Permian, near Braunau. 



T. E. J. 



Geological Society of London. — L May 20th, 1868. — 1. "On 

 the Eruption of the Kaimeni of Santorin." By Dr. J. Schmidt. 

 Communicated by Sir K. I. Murchison, Bart., K.C.B., F.E.S., 

 V.P.G.S., &c. 



The eruption to which this paper referred commenced in January 

 1866, and continued nninterruptedly up to the close of the year 1867. 

 Probably years may elapse before the volcanic energy has died out. 



The eruption of the Nea-Kaimeni originated on the south side of 

 the island, and extended towards the west. The tendency of the 

 lava current was southwards, and the extension, after about two 

 years, was from 1200 to 1400 yards, and 1800 yards from east to 

 west. On account of the great depth of the water and the continual 

 access of the open sea, the temperature of the water has not been 

 remarkably elevated, varying from 77^ to 122^ F. The old George 

 harbour has been greatly improved by the upheaval of the southern 

 and western sides, while the channel between Nea and Micra Kai- 

 meni has been shallowed, so as to be passable only for boats. 



The author then described the George volcano, and stated that 

 an eruption of stones and ashes, accompanied generally with sharp 

 explosions, took place about every seven minutes. Immediately 

 after these stone -showers, hissing columns of white steam succeeded, 

 and these were followed by faint-yellow noiseless issues from the 

 central fumerole. None of the stones were thrown more than 400 

 feet above the water. It is impossible to predict anything with 

 regard to the cessation of the eruption, although it has diminished 

 in intensity since 1866. 



Discussion. — Capt. Spratt pointed out that this was only one of 

 the many peaks in the large crater of Santorin which have risen up 

 since the historical period. In the position in which he had anchored 

 but six or seven years ago there is now a hill upwards of 300 feet 

 in height. 



Sir Roderick Murchison referred to the communications to the 

 French Academy relative to the chemical products of the eruption, 

 and their relation to those of Vesuvius and other volcanoes. 



Mr. Forbes directed attention to the fact alluded to in the late 

 President's anniversary address, that the lavas of this volcanic out- 

 burst were, at its commencement, trachytes, or of highly silicated 

 character, but afterwards were basic lavas ; thus proving that rocks 

 of totally different characters and chemical composition (respec- 

 tively analogous to the granitic and trappean rocks of former periods) 

 might proceed from a volcanic focus during an eruption. 



Prof. Ansted called attention to the probable connexion of the 

 eruptions in these islands and those of Vesuvius and Etna, and 



