MANCHESTER MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 199
almost inclined to add that it is our duty to do so in view of the fact
that, since 1884, we can lay claim to a seismic axis in our own
county. From remarks made at the Conference by Prof. Ewing, it
appears that tremors would probably be found wherever tested for
with sufficiently delicate instruments.
At the second Conference, held on Tuesday, September 6th, the
chair was taken by Prof. Boyd Dawkins, F.R.S., and the Committee
represented by Mr. G. J. Symons, F.R.S., Mr. W. Topley, Mr.
White, Dr. Garson and myself. The first subject considered was a
recommendation from Section A, respecting the appointment of a
Committee for investigating the seasonal variations of temperature in
lakes, rivers, and estuaries. The work of this Committee will be of
a preliminary character this year, the first thing to be done being to
find out how many recorders can be secured among the local
Societies, and to draw up a scheme of observations. The Secretary
to the Committee is Mr. John Murray, "Challenger" Expedition
Office, Edinburgh.
With reference to the recommendations from Section C (Geology)
three Committees have been re-appointed in the work of which the
local Societies might well take a part. These Committees, which
have been brought under the notice of the Conference of Delegates
on former occasions, are, first, the Underground Water Committee,
of which the Secretary is Mr. C. E. De Rance, F.G.S., 28, Jermyn
Street, S.W. ; second, the Erratic Blocks Committee, of which the
Secretary is the Rev. H. W. Crosskey, LL.D., F.G.S., 117, Gough
Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham ; and third, the Sea Coasts Erosion
Committee, of which the Secretary is Mr. Wm. Topley, F.G.S., 28,
Jermyn Street, S.W. Space forbids me to attempt any detailed
account of the nature of the observations required by these Com-
mittees. It will suffice to say that the Underground Water Com-
mittee requires information as to the depth of wells, the sections
passed through, the height at which the water stands before and after
pumping, daily records of the height, and chemical analyses of the
water. It is satisfactory to know that systematic observations have
been carried out in our county for some years at Messrs. Courtauld's
well at Booking, but there should be other wells which might be made
to supply useful data to the Committee. Of the importance of this
work it is needless for me to speak here—it will be sufficient to
remind our members that the effect of the Essex Earthquake upon
the underground waters was only capable of precise measurement