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tortion, and inversion which had perplexed his predecessors in the 
same field of observation. 
In addition to the scientific value of M. Dumont’s exact and la- 
borious researches, in illustrating a high and difficult problem in 
positive geology, his work assumes a place of great statistical and 
commercial importance, as describing the structure and contents of 
a rich and productive carboniferous district containing eighty-three 
beds of valuable coal; and its practical utility has been fully shown, 
by the fact of a second edition having been required to supply the 
demands of the landed proprietors, and persons practically interested 
in the operations and products of the coal mines. 
The geological tribunal of Brussels, including the highly distin- 
guished geologist Omalius d’Halloy, at once appreciated duly, and 
rewarded as they deserved, these brilliant discoveries ; but the phee- 
nomena represented on M. Dumont’s map and sections were so un- 
usually complex and improbable, that the geologists of England 
could not but forbear to admit their reality, until it was fully 
confirmed by our personal examination, with the aid of that 
new light which M. Dumont’s discoveries had thrown upon them. 
The result of such inquiry has been a full corroboration of M. Du- 
mont’s representations, and at this late hour we at length come for- 
ward with the homage of our tardy but sincere acknowledgements ; 
a duty too long delayed, from the exercise of precaution in its admi- 
nistration, but for this very reason now become more urgent, when 
the grounds for conscientiously discharging it have passed the or- 
deal of severe and critical investigation. It is for this great work 
then on the geological constitution of the Province of Liége, such 
as in 1832 it issued from the hands of a young, and then unknown 
individual, and apart from any more recent attempts to identify the 
Belgian formations with those of England, that our Society has 
awarded to M. André Hubert Dumont their Gold Wollasten Medal 
for the present year; in testimony of their admiration of the almost 
precocious talents then displayed by him, and of their sense of his 
worthiness to fill the distinguished scientific position to which he is 
now advanced, as Professor of Mineralogy and Geology in the Col- 
lege of Liége. 
Dr. Fitton, on receiving the Medal from the hands of the Presi- 
dent, said, that he had been requested by M. Dumont to express his 
great regret that unavoidable duties prevented his appearing in 
person on this occasion. M. Dumont’s letter states with deep feeling 
his sense of the honour which the Geological Society of London has 
thus conferred upon him, and his hope that he may soon be enabled 
to come into England, for the purpose of extending his personal ac- 
quaintance with the members of this Society, and of being enabled, 
with the aid of their knowledge, to perfect the comparison of the 
ancient strata of Belgium with those of this country. The Society 
could not but anticipate great advantage to Geology from the ap- 
plication of M. Dumont’s talents to the comparative inquiries to 
which his letter alludes. 
