238 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BELT, F.G.S., 



of Siberia, and also those of Southern Russia, lie made his 

 peculiar study ; and the results of his observations on these vast 

 plains he embodied in two papers, which he read before the 

 Geological Society of London in 1874 and 1877, and which are 

 published in their Joui'nal. 



In the early part of the summer of 1878 he was down in his 

 native north, revisiting his old acquaintances and the scenes of 

 his youth ; for always, in all his wanderings, he turned lovingly 

 to Tyneside. He at this time was in his usual health and genial 

 spirits ; and little did liis friends think that it was to be his last 

 visit to the place of his birth, and that they should see his face 

 no more. 



He shortly afterwards left England for Colorado, to fulfil a 

 professional engagement. Here he was struck down with fever, 

 which terminated fatally on the 21st of September. To the last 

 he was an earnest student, and the latest record we have of him 

 .shews him still accumulating facts in furtherance of the work on 

 Glacial Phenomena to which he had devoted himself. The letter 

 of the Denver correspondent of the Times, published in that 

 paper September 25th, announces the discovery by Mr. Belt of a 

 human skull that might prove to be the oldest in existence, the 

 deposits in which it was found being in his belief of the Glacial 

 age. 



It may be said of him '' That his sun went down while it was 

 yet day," and that the work to which he had dedicated so much 

 of his life remains unaccomplished. Yet the name of Tliomas 

 Belt will not be forgotten. Though he luis passed away from us 

 in the flower of liis age, the work that lie has done has gained 

 for him a position in the scientific world to which few of greater 

 years attain. 



Ho was a careful and accurate observer, and able with his pen 

 to lay before the worhl the results of his observations clearly and 

 temperately. "NVliatcver he undertook he did it well, and in the 

 departments of Natural Science to which he applied himself his 

 name stands as an authority, and his work is quoted as that of a 

 maater. 



■Residing as he did :it n disf.inro from Tyneside, and actively 



