28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOSTON-CAMBRIDGE MEETING 



Then, after a graceful speech of welcome to the Society and guests, 

 Doctor Adams called upon James F. Kemp to act as toastmaster. This 

 service was rendered in a happ}^ vein of humor that thoroughly satisfied 

 the company, as one after another eight or ten Fellows responded to the 

 summons of the toastmaster. The evening was further enlivened by 

 occasional singing by the diners from a "Geological Song Book,'' which 

 had been compiled and provided by A. C. Lane. A cordial letter was 

 prepared, signed by all present and subsequently sent to Professor Eduard 

 Suess, of Yienna, congratulating him on the completion of his monu- 

 mental work ^'Das Antlitz der Erde."^^ C. H. Warren was the member 

 of the Local Committee who had charge of the arrangement for the 

 dinner. 



Session of Thursday^ December 30 



Thursday morning the Society was called to order in general session 

 at 9.45 o'clock by Yice-President Adams, in the Geological Lecture Hall 

 of the University Museum. The printed report of the Council, which 

 had just arrived, was distributed, but action upon it was deferred to the 

 afternoon. 



RESOLUTION CONCERNING ANTARCTIC RESEARCH 



The Secretary then reported that the Council had considered with 

 approval the preamble and resolutions submitted by the American Philo- 

 sophical Society, and recommended their adoption. They are as follows : 



"Whereas the United States in former years did much to increase our Imowl- 

 edge of the Antarctic regions, by means of the expedition of Lieut. Charles 

 Wilkes, U. S. N., and the voyages of American whalers, and 



"Whereas there has been a great revival of interest in recent years in the 

 South Polar regions, resulting in the dispatching of scientific expeditions to 

 explore portions of this area by England. Belgium, Sweden, Germany, and 

 France, and 



10 The following reply to this communication has been received by the Secertary : 



Vienna, March 4, 1910. 

 Dear Sir : I am indeed at a loss in trying to describe the feeling which pervaded me 

 in receiving the testimonial letter and congratulation of the Geological Society of Amer- 

 ica. If my bool£ possesses some merit, it consists in showing how very narrow the 

 limits of our actual knowledge of the earth are, and if anything is apt to bid glad 

 hopes, it is the brilliant list of one hundred and ten great masters and ardent scholars 

 trying to unravel the structure of your vast and diversified country, who have honored 

 me in this extraordinary way. 



I beg to transmit my heartfelt thanks to all these gentlemen and colleagues in science 

 and my respectful compliments to President Gilbert. 

 Your deeply obUged, 



E. SUBSS. 



