Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 4.djvu/395

Rh ed for, therefore, only by supposing its solidity to be preserved by the enormous pressure to which, at considerable depths, the mass is subjected. The author then offers an explanation of the phenomena of volcanos on the supposition that a portion of matter more fusible than the general mass of the globe exists in a state of fusion in sub- terranean reservoirs, forming so many subterranean lakes of deter- minate extent ; in some cases originally distinct ; in others, commu- nicating with adjoining lakes, by more or less obstructed channels ; a theory which will also account for all the obscure geological ele- vations, except perhaps the earliest, as being produced by a simul- taneous action of a fluid pressure on every portion of the lower part of a solid mass of definite extent. The author considers this har- mony in his general views with the results of analytical investigation as constituting for them a strong claim to the attention of geo- logists.

Another important conclusion which the author deduced from his researches is, that if the interior temperature of the earth be due to its primitive heat, pressure must be effective in promoting solidifica- tion of masses at high temperatures.

2. The following paper was read : — " Contributions to Terre- strial Magnetism," No. Ill, By Lieut.-Colonel Edward Sabine, R.A., F.R.S.

In this memoir, the author gives a detailed account of the obser- vations on the magnetic intensity made at sea by the officers of the Erebus and the Terror on their passage from England to Kergue- len's Land ; the unreduced observations transmitted to the Admiralty by the Commanders of these ships, Captain James Ross and Captain Crozier, having been placed in his hands for that purpose.

The first part of the paper relates to the observations made be- tween England and the Cape of Good Hope ; and the second, to those made between the Cape and Kerguelen's Land. These ob- servations, made at various stations, are given in the form of tables ; and their accordance with the isodynamic lines drawn from Mr. Dun- lop's observations, contained in the first number of the author's con- tributions on this subject, is pointed out.

Samuel Peace Pratt, Esq., was balloted for, and duly elected a Fellow of the Society.

The following papers were read, viz. —

1. "Barometrical Observations made at Yarmouth, Norfolk, on