The Society of Spelæology

Abstract

THE attention of your readers has already been called to the formation of this Society in Paris (NATURE, January 3), the promotion of which is due to the action and enthusiasm of M. E. A. Martel, the author of the beautifully-illustrated work “Les Abîmes,” reviewed by Prof. Bonney in your pages of the 28th ult. This book describes and illustrates a number of extraordinary and often hazardous subterranean explorations in the underground caves and watercourses of the limestone districts of France, Belgium, Austria, and Greece. The Society is intended to carry on the work thus initiated by M. Martel and his devoted co workers in a more effective manner, and over a wider area than has been possible by private enterprise. The formation of the Society, M. Martel writes me, is now an accomplished fact. About 130 gentlemen of all nationalities, some of whom bear well-known names in the ranks of science, have signified their adhesion. A provisional code of rules has been printed and adopted, and a meeting has already taken place, under the presidency of the president-elect, M. F. Deloncle, Deputy for the Basses-Alpes.