670 
' In consequence of the numbers of fossils sent to M. d’Orbigny 
from all parts of France, and which I had the pleasure last spring 
of seeing on his tables, a new light may be thrown by the ‘ Paléon- 
tologie Francaise’ on the classification of the sedimentary masses of 
the Alps and Apennines; the limestones of Greece, Turkey in Eu- 
rope, Palestine, the coasts of Africa, and in fact of the whole circuit 
of the Mediterranean, the chief formations of which are at present 
arranged in the cretaceous epoch. 
I might now notice the recent labours of M. Rozet, M. Leymerie, 
M. Rolland du Roquand, M. Duval and others, whose memoirs have 
been partly published in the volumes of the Geological Society of 
Franee, but such duties pertain to the office of the President of the 
French Society, and doubtless, the eminent man* who is now at the 
head of it will do ample justice to these authors. 
BELGIAN SCHOOL. 
In Belgium, the most important works that claim our aftention 
for the year 1841, are,—Ist, the completion of the field survey of the 
Geological Map of Belgium by M. Dumont, which was begun more 
than four years ago, and has been pursued with the zeal and ability 
manifested by the author in his first publication, and which we had 
so much pleasure in rewarding with our Wollaston Medal. I learn, 
however, that the appearance of the map may be delayed in con- 
sequence of the time necessary to complete its engraving: 2ndly, 
I may notice a great paleontological work, undertaken by M. de 
Koninck, several plates of which I examined last spring in Paris. 
This young naturalist, already known by his works on Conchology, 
is about to give us, in fifty or sixty plates with descriptions, an 
account of all the fossils of Belgium, from the Lower Silurian to 
the coal-fields inclusive, whether published or not. This work, of 
which the first Numbers have appeared, will doubtless be of great 
assistance in completing the classification of the paleeozoic rocks of 
Belgium, the lithological and mineral characters and lines of demar- 
cation among which had been so faithfully and clearly described by 
Mons. d’Omalius d’Halloy, and Professor Dumont. 
OTHER FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
From France and Belgium I shall, in the sequel, direct your atten- 
tion to certain works which have appeared in relation to the Alps, 
where the glacial theory more particularly is at present the great 
subject of debate. I would now carry your attention to the southern 
parts of Germany and to Italy, but with the exception of an able 
memoir by Professor Sismonda of Turin, ‘ Osservazioni Geologiche 
sulle Alpi marittime, &c., and a Monograph of the fossil Murex by 
Michelotti, I have not been able to make myself acquainted with the 
recent literature of our science in those tracts, though I have no 
doubt that they have been illustrated by good workmen, of whose 
labours I may be enabled to speak at our next Anniversary. On 
* M. Cordier. 
