The Scottish Naturalist. 



255 



the latter can be ascertained. Dr. Crosskey, the Secretary, 

 may be applied to for printed forms indicating the points 

 of which a note should be made. 



5. The Collection and Identification of Meteoric 



Dust, (Sec, Mr. John Murray). Observations with this 

 object require to be carried on in localities and circum- 

 stances such as to minimise the risk of error through 

 smoke, or other atmospheric impurities. Perhaps this 

 Committee should have been noticed under Section A. 



6. The Rate of Increase of Underground Temperature 



downwards in various Localities of Dry Land 

 and under Water, ( Sec, Professor Everett). Probably 

 few Societies and individuals in Scotland are so placed as 

 to be able to afford much help in this inquiry. 



7. Considering the advisability and possibility of 



establishing in other parts of the country ob- 

 servations upon the prevalence of Earth- 

 tremors similar to those now being made in 

 Durham in connection with coal-mine explo- 

 sions, ( Sec, Professor Lebour). The value and interest 

 of such observations are such as to render their extension 

 very much to be desired, apart from the great practical 

 importance in the connection in which they are being 

 studied in Durham. Can Local Societies not assist? 



8. The Rate of Erosion of the Sea-coasts of England 



and Wales, and the Influence of the Artificial 

 Abstraction of Shingle or other material in that 

 action, (Sees. Messrs. C. E. De Ranee and W. Topley). 

 We are unaware of the cause why Scotland is not included 

 with Wales and England in the scope of this Committee's 

 investigations ; but as most of the Scientific Societies in 

 Scotland have more or less easy access to the sea-coast 

 in the districts to which they devote their chief attention, 

 the subject appears to be one in which they could frequently 

 do excellent work if so disposed. The Report of the 

 Committee, in the Appendix to the Report of the British 

 Association's Meeting in the year 1888 (pp. 898 — 933), 

 bears the fullest testimony to the interest of the inquiry, 

 as well as to its historical and practical value. A schedule 

 of questions is appended to the Report, and is so complete 



