MR. THOMAS BELT, F.G.S

Abstract

THE scientific world will hear with regret the recent death of the well-known naturalist and geologist, Mr. Thomas Belt, F.G.S., which has just been telegraphed from Colorado. It is believed to have been caused by mountain fever. Elected a Fellow of the Geological Society in 1866, the geological world owes to him the division of the Lingula flags into Maentwrog, Ffestiniog, and Dolgelly flags, proposed in 1867. In 1874 appeared his well-known and deservedly popular “Naturalist in Nicaragua”, in which he showed how his professional avocations as an engineer had lent keenness to his observing faculties, and how an acute reasoner can utilise his observations. The work conveyed much information on protective mimicry, plant-fertilisation, sexual selection, and the other collateral issues of the theory of evolution. It contained the first sketch of those views on glacial geology which were the most prominent subject of the author's study for the rest of his life. These views were given in considerable detail in the Geological Magazine for April, 1874, and were well expounded by Mr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S., in his presidential address of that year to the Geologists' Association. Mr. Belt skilfully answered his opponents in NATURE, vol. x., his controversial speaking and writing being always marked by a candour and temper which, if it did not carry conviction, could not fail to elicit admiration from perfect strangers and mere spectators. In November, 1875, he read a paper to the Geological Society “On the Drift of Devon and Cornwall”(Quart, four. Geol. Sac., vol. xxxii.), and another “On the Steppes of Southern Russia” (Quart. Jour. Geol. Sac., vol xxxiii.), in June, 1877. He also contributed various papers to the Quarterly Journal of Science, amongst others one, “On the Loess of the Rhine and the Danube,” in January, 1877, and one “On the Glacial Period in the Southern Hemisphere,” in July, 1877.