46 



the Bournemouth district. This, however, could not be carried out, 

 but later in the year a map in relief of the Isle of Wight, and also 

 one of Dorset have been made, and are on view in the Society's 

 Rooms. 



The Phvsio- This was the title of an exhaustive paper read by 

 graphy of the Charles J- Parmiter, on March 2nd. In 



Hydrosphere introducing the subject, it was pointed out that the 

 study of geography, as one of the bases of a liberal 

 education, was gradually obtaining recognition in this country, and 

 considerable attention was being given to Oceanographical research. 



Five-sevenths of the surface of the globe are covered with the 

 hydrosphere — the two-sevenths which appear above the hydrosphere 

 represent the dry land. 



If the hydrosphere were to evaporate, profound depressions, 

 separated by mountain ranges, would be the predominating features. 



The height of Mount Everest in the Himalayas and the depth 

 of the Ladrone Basin in the Pacific Ocean would together give a 

 vertical range of over twelve miles. 



The Great International Deep in the Atlantic Ocean is more 

 than five miles, and the average depth of the Hydrosphere is about 

 two-and-a-quarter miles. 



The pressure at the depth of one mile below the surface exceeds 

 one ton on every square inch, and on the floor of the deepest 

 depression would amount to five tons. 



A brief description of the difficult problem of the tides, of the 

 salinity and temperature of the oceans was also given ; and an 

 account of the constructive work of the coral polyp, as also of the 

 deposition of calcareous ooze, mixed with Radiolaria and diatoms 

 found on the floor of the deepest ocean brought the paper to a close. 



A number of mineral specimens were shown in illustrating the 

 paper, and the Chairman exhibited a sample of Globigerina ooze 

 brought up from the deep Atlantic. 



British Roads 0n March 2 5 th Mr - Pretor w - Chandler, of 

 and their Lincoln's Inn, read a paper entitled " British 



m . Roads — their history and development.'' Reference 



was made to the roads constructed in Britain during 

 the Roman occupation, which have never been equalled. 



In Saxon times the earliest roads were mere tracks along which 

 horses could be taken, and some followed the beds of streams. 



In the Norman Period the Church repaired roads, and built 

 bridges, as " Service to God " — and the monasteries maintained 

 those around their lands. Later the Lords of Manors claimed tolls 

 for the use of their roads, and they kept them in repair, but with the 

 decline of the manorial system they were neglected. 



In the reign of Edward I statutes were passed for clearing the 

 land on the sides of main roads, and under Edward III owners of 

 property had to repair that part opposite to their holdings. 



