Geological Society of Pennsylvania. 517 



who is still continuing his researches, and is confident of finding 

 water, and establishing wells, at other parts of the route. The 

 practical artificers are two Englishmen, named Hancock and 

 Wood. The villages, where men and animals will not only be 

 supplied with water, but with all other necessaries in their pain- 

 ful journeyings ; and the names of the projector and executor, 

 of this work will be remembered with gratitude by all future 

 travellers in this hitherto sterile desert. 



Above all, it is hoped that the enlightened ruler of Egypt will 

 appreciate the merits of Mr. Briggs, whose success will facili- 

 tate the commerce and promote the prosperity of that country. 



To the above may be also subjoined the following extract of 

 a letter, dated, Alexandria, June 13, 1831, from Mr. Briggs 

 himself, to the Earl of Munster, who has communicated it to the 

 Royal Geographical Society: — 



" My attempts to discover water in the Desert between Cairo 

 and Suez have been crowned with success ; and I hope all fu- 

 ture travellers to and from India will feel the benefit of it, as 

 well as the pilgrims to Mecca. 



" I have had two English borers at work during a year and a 

 half, at my expense ; and / mean to persevere till I have found water 

 also on the other line of communication, known to you, between 

 Cosseir and Thebes, or Kenne. 



" Ibrahim Pasha gives me every assistance in guards, tools, 

 masons, &c., whenever sweet water is found; but the Hadgi 

 know it is to the English they are indebted for this boon," 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



Abstract of their proceedings, April 14th, 1832, Lieut. Col. 

 Long in the chair — 



A paper on the geology of the Alleghany Mountains, by R. C. 

 Taylor, Esq. was read by Mr. Featherstonhaugh.* 



Peter A. Browne, Esq. read a paper on the rocks found in the 

 vicinity of Philadelphia. — These rocks are primary ; no granite 



* This paper, together with a section of the Moshannon Valley, were published 

 in the last number of this Journal. 



