37 



A lecture given on the 13th Feb., 1909, by F. 

 * u , I ^ Hovenden, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S., the chair being 

 of the Isle ^^-^^^ Liddiard, Esq., F.R.G.S. The lecturer 

 of Purbeck. began by explaining the general principles govern- 

 ing the formation of the sedimentary strata of the earth's surface, 

 showing how they were all deposited from water, being either formed 

 of particles of rocks disintegrated by water, or of the remains of the 

 myriads of creatures that had lived in the water. In the course of 

 ages, the deposit, through pressure or chemical action, becomes 

 hardened into rock. Mr Hovenden then illustrated his general 

 remarks by reference to particular strata to be found in the Isle of 

 Purbeck, giving especial attention to the cinder bed, a thin stratum 

 of oyster shells about 22 miles long. These references were illus- 

 trated by lantern slides from photographs of many of the points of 

 interest in and near the Isle of Purbeck. 



, -A lecture with this title was given on the 27th 



Volcanoes and j,^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^j^^ ^ Trestrail, J.P., F.R.G.S., 



in the Clevedon, the chair being taken by Col. 



. Markwick, C.B. The lecturer said there were three 



Mendip Area. ^ ^ ' , j- ^ • u j 



types 01 volcanoes, accordmg to their shape and 



structure — the gently pointed conical shaped, the rounded dome- 

 shaped, and the irregular shaped. There are two kinds of volcanic 

 action, the gradual and gentle action as seen in Stromboli, and the 

 violent intermittent action as seen in Vesuvius. Volcanoes and 

 earthquakes are no doubt caused by the secular contraction of the 

 earth's crust, an action always at work. The earth is slowly 

 radiating its heat into space, the outer crust becoming gradually 

 cooler than the heated interior ; as it cools it contracts, which 

 causes it to crumple and crack, producing earthquakes, while 

 through the cracks the red-hot matter from the interior is forced up, 

 forming a volcano. Major Trestrail described in detail the volcanic 

 rocks of the Mendips and the traces of their eruptions in geological 

 times. He described, also, similar action as shown on the coast in 

 the neighbourhood of Weston-super-Mare. His remarks were illus- 

 trated by some very fine lantern slides from photographs of the 

 district. 



, For a report of this lecture given on 13th March, 



Maiiey s ^^^^^ ^ ^^^^ ^ Markwick, C.B., F.R.A.S., 



see page 72. 



Surnames 

 in relation to 



This was a paper presented on 27th March, 1909, 

 by Captain G. R. Elwes, J. P., who was unfortun- 

 ately unable to be present. The paper was read by 

 History. ^^^^ Chairman, G. Brownen, Esq., F.C.S. The 



origin of many surnames was traced to scientific sources — geology, 

 botany, astronomy, architecture and even heraldry. The surname 

 was originally a personal and descriptive name, based upon here- 

 ditary ofQce or physical peculiarity, this name becoming in time 



