122 TROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



It was moved by Dr. Evans, seconded by Dr. Htnde, and carried 

 unanimously, that the resolution passed by the Council be commu- 

 nicated to Mrs. Dallas on behalf of the Society. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. "As to certain ' Changes of Level ' along the Shores on the 

 Western side of Italy." By R. Mackley Browne, Esq., F.G.S. 



[Abstract.] 



After noticing the prevailing opinion that such changes as he 

 treats of were caused by earth-movements of elevation and depres- 

 sion, the Author suggests that the altered levels were due to altered 

 conditions of the Mediterranean. He brings forward objections to 

 the prevailing theory : — such as, that there is an improbability of 

 the upraising force being equally applied ; and that general earth- 

 movements of upheaval and depression would necessarily involve 

 altered level and distribution of ocean-waters. He also remarks on 

 the possibility of periodical oscillating alterations in the tidal depth 

 of the ocean. 



After noticing the special characteristics of the Mediterranean : — 

 such as, (1) non -participation in the Atlantic tides ; (2) its surface- 

 level not being that of Atlantic high-water ; (3) terrestrial gravita- 

 tion chiefly regulating the condition of its waters ; (4) its inflowing 

 and outflowing currents, — he infers that submergence and emer- 

 gence on the Bay of Baiae would follow equivalent alteration in the 

 level of the Atlantic waters, such as would be probably developed 

 by changed combinations of astronomical forces, similar to, but 

 greater than the actual " changes of level " manifested in the ordi- 

 nary tidal phenomena. After discussing the possible dates and 

 periods of the changes at Pozzuoli, he makes the suggestion that 

 within a period of two thousand years alterations may have taken 

 place in the astronomical combinations, out of which a change in the 

 surface-level of the oceans generally may have become developed, 

 and wherefrom consequently a synchronous change in the Mediter- 

 ranean would also occur ; and he observes that the amount of actual 

 tidal effects has never been ascertained. 



Discussion. 



The President had not gathered that the paper was the result of 

 an}' personal investigation of the coast, and felt that the Author 

 must expect opposition to his views. 



Dr. Evans thought that a small amount of travel would solve the 

 question more eff*ectually than any amount of speculation. The 

 Temple of Serapis was built in immediate proximity to a volcanic 

 centre that had been active in modern times, and he himself saw 

 no difficulty in supposing small earth-movements to have occurred 

 without any very violent disturbance. If the Mediterranean had 



