Addresses from Sister Societies 293 



SOCIETE GEOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE 



Mr. President: 



Neither the Societe Geologique de Belgique, which 

 charges me to convey its greetings to the American 

 Philosophical Society on this memorable occasion, nor 

 the present Kingdom of Belgium, of which it is the 

 national representative in the Science of Geology, ex- 

 isted, at the date of the death of Benjamin Franklin; 

 yet genius like his commands the reverence of all ages, 

 and along with its tribute to his memory the Society de- 

 sires me to present the assurance of its sympathy and 

 affiliation with the oldest learned Society of America, 

 offspring of the great printer and conducting this well 

 deserved service of commemoration to him. 



Founded by Gustave Dewalque and Adolphe Firket, 

 both of whom have passed away almost within the last 

 year, the Societe Geologique de Belgique during their 

 lifetime, and largely through their efforts, aided by 

 those of their learned colleagues and countrymen, has 

 risen not only to the rank of the premier geological so- 

 ciety of Belgium, but to eminence among the greatest 

 learned Societies of Europe. One characteristic of its 

 publications, aside from their intrinsic scientific value. 



