THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
239 
the light emanating from an outer envelope of lenticular filaments, not 
distributed in symmetrical order. He estimated these filaments at about 
1,000 miles long by 90 miles broad, and stated that they move among 
themselves with enormous velocity, separating to form spots, and filling in 
to obliterate them. They are regarded by Mr. Prichard as solid. Some 
admirable representations of lunar volcanoes were exhibited and described. 
On the whole, not less than seventy-six communications were referred to 
Section A, this being more than one-fourth part of all memoirs received, 
and more than double the number read at any section but Geology. Of these, 
at least twenty were strictly meteorological, and belonged much more to 
Physical Geography than to General Physics. In Section E (Geography 
and Ethnology, including Archseology) there were in all only twenty-eight 
memoirs, and of these only four related in any way to Physical Geography, 
while seventeen were mere narratives of travel. 
In Section B, the communications were not of popular interest, and 
were chiefly technical. There was, however, one paper, by Mr. L'awes and 
Dr. Gilbert, on the subject of Manures and their action on grass land, 
interesting to the agriculturist. Many of the geological communications 
and discussions were also technical; but, as usual, there was a sufficient 
sprinkling of popular matter to attract strangers and ladies. Perhaps the 
most interesting novelty was the notice of Dr. Falconer’s pigmy-elepliant 
bones, of which some were obtained, three years ago, from a cavern in Malta, 
by Captain Spratt,R.N., and retained quietly by Dr. Falconer till a sufficient 
number of specimens had been received to decide every point of structure. 
There was something unusually interesting in the result of this reticence. 
Instead of the usual announcement of a new species from a single tooth 
or fragment of a bone, Dr. Falconer, as soon as he obtained the first instal- 
ment of news regarding so curious a variety, simply put his specimens by, 
and urged his friend, Captain Spratt, to search for and send more. He 
sent more; but, still, other bones were wanted ; and, at last, in this way, a 
series was got together which really left nothing to be desired. Then our 
cautious Doctor, who has made elephants his special study, found himself 
in a position to bring down to the Association a perfect embarras de 
richesses in reference to this new form. He has bones and teeth of indi- 
viduals of all ages, and, comparing them with corresponding bones and 
teeth of the Indian or fossil species, he exhibits all the peculiarities of 
structure. This pigmy was, when full grown, about the size of the Malay 
tapir, but was in all respects a true elephant in structure, having tusks 
and teeth in all respects elephantine. It inhabited Southern Europe up 
to a comparatively late tertiary period. 
The drift question and the deposits of loose and alluvial mud in the bed 
of the Rhine and other rivers, — the gravel, and its connection with the 
glacial period, and the facts of chief interest in reference to this question, 
were the subject of many papers and of some very interesting discussion. 
This department of Geology is now clearing itself, and, before very long, 
will afford the latest, and probably the most instructive, chapter in all 
geological works. It still remains surrounded with difficulties ; but they 
will disappear one after another, and we shall then be able to connect the 
present with the past. 
