COMMUNICATION FROM PRESIDENT GILBERT 27 



They were followed by 



BEACH CUSPS 

 BY D. W. JOHNSON 



Given extemporaneously; illustrated with lantern slides; 20 minutes. 

 The section adjourned at 5 o^clock. 



Wednesday evening the Fellows of the Geological Society of America 

 and of the Paleontological Society, the members of the latter and friends, 

 in all 131 persons, took part in the customary annual dinner, which was 

 held in the Hotel Vendome, Boston. The meeting was presided over by 

 Vice-President Adams, who, before general speaking began, called upon 

 President-elect Hague to read the following communication which had 

 been received from President Gilbert : 



"To the Fellows of the Geological Society of America I send a cordial greet- 

 ing. Though phj^sically separate, I am one with you in motive and enthusiasm. 



"Keenly as I should enjoy the intellectual interchange and the social joys of 

 our assemblage, keenly as I regret my inability to assume the duties properly 

 joined to the high honor you have bestowed on me, yet am I not without con- 

 solation. For I know well that other hands, willing and able, will perform 

 whatever I have left undone, that the lusty vigor of our Society ensures the 

 quick closing of every gap, and that the cherished cause for which our associa- 

 tion stands is imperiled by no default of an individual. 



"As thought roams backward over the long series of our fruitful meetings, I 

 realize as never before how the growth of our science has been interwoven with 

 the growth of our organization, how our indlA^dual efficiency and our associa- 

 tive efficiency have each enhanced the other, and how the harmony and soli- 

 darity of our geologic body have been fostered by the personal contact of its 

 members. 



"As I dwell with longing on all the privileges that this week are yours, I 

 realize more than ever before how strong are the personal ties which bind me 

 to you and how large a measure of real comradeship has come to be implied 

 by our formal title of Fellow. And so, Fellows of the Geological Society, I 

 send a more than cordial — I send an affectionate greeting. 



"G. K. GiLBEET. 



"Washington, Decem'ber 26, 1909." 



On motion of Second Yice-President Clarke, the Secretary was unan- 

 imously instructed to send the following telegraphic reply to Mr. Gilbert : 



"29 December, 1909. 

 "Mr. Grove K. Gilbert, Washington, D. C: 



"We, Fellows of the Geological Society, assembled at the Annual Dinner, 

 return your greeting and express our sincere regret at your absence. We 

 assure you of our cordial personal interest and sympathy and of our hope to 

 have you with us soon again. 



"Edmund Otis Hovey. Secretary." 



