﻿Geological Society. 145 



band of light gets wider and wider) as the sun is approached, and 

 that the C line and the D line do not ; and he enlarges upon the 

 importance of this fact, taken in connexion with the researches of 

 Pliicker, Hittorf, and Frankland on the spectrum of hydrogen — ■ 

 stating at the same time that he is engaged in researches on gaseous 

 spectra which, it is possible, will enable us to determine the tempe- 

 rature and pressure at the surfaces of the chromosphere, and to give 

 a full explanation of the various colours of the prominences which 

 have been observed at different times. 



The paper also refers to certain bright regions in the solar spec- 

 trum itself. 



Evidence is adduced to show that possibly a chromosphere is, 

 under certain conditions, a regular part of star-economy ; and the 

 outburst of the star in Corona is especially dwelt upon. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



[Continued from vol. xxxvi. p. 234.] 

 May 20th, 1868.— Prof. T. H. Huxley, LL.D., F.R.S., &c, 

 President, in the Chair. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. " On the Eruption of the Kaimeni of Santorin." By Dr. J. 

 Schmidt. 



The eruption to which this paper referred commenced in January 

 1S66, and continued uninterruptedly up to the close of the year 18G7. 

 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 southward, 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 

 Kaimeni 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 fumarole. 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. 



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 

 Phil Mag, S. 4. Vol, 37. No. 347. Feb, 1869. L 



