ABSTRACT The concept of biostratigraphy was a significant step in the evolution of geoscience. Alexandre Brongniart (1770–1847) and Georges Cuvier (1769–1832) were key contributors to developing the subdiscipline as they worked to decode the stratigraphy of the Paris Basin in the first decades of the nineteenth century. Their illustrations of fossils, local geologic columns, and a regional geologic map played a decisive role in furthering an understanding of the value of paleontology in the service of illuminating Earth history.

Abstract David Oldroyd served a double term (1996–2004) as Secretary-General of INHIGEO, working with Hugh Torrens (1996–2000) and Manuel Pinto (2000–04) as Presidents. Meeting sites during this time included Beijing (1996), Liège (1997), Neuchâtel (1998), Freiberg (1999), Rio de Janeiro (2000), Lisbon and Aveiro (2001), Paris (2002), Dublin (2003) and Florence (2004). Minor changes in the Terms of Reference and By-Laws aided the mission of INHIGEO. Continuity was a key aspect of Kennard Bork’s term (2004–08). President Philippe Taquet (2004–08) and the INHIGEO Board were responsive to resolving operational issues. Annual meetings were held in Italy (2004), the Czech Republic (2005), the Baltic States (2006), Germany (2007) and Norway (2008). In the period since 2008, INHIGEO has continued its success while undergoing constructive changes. The INHIGEO Newsletter has been transformed into the INHIGEO Annual Record , which is publicly available on the internet. The longstanding limit on membership numbers per country has been abandoned, a category of Associate Membership has been introduced and a quarterly INHIGEO Circular was introduced in 2012. An Affiliated Association category was created in 2014. This contribution focuses on the progress of INHIGEO in the years 1996 to the present day. It has been prepared by Kennard B. Bork, INHIGEO Secretary-General (2004–08) and Barry J. Cooper Secretary-General (2008–16). Tragically, David Oldroyd passed away on 7 November 2014 and could not contribute to this paper. In his place, one of us (KBB) discusses David’s major contributions.

Abstract For Élie Bertrand (1713–1797) and his like-minded contemporaries, God's design and providence set the stage for understanding the workings of the Earth. Bertrand used various methods, including field observations, to accumulate considerable geological knowledge, which he published in his Dictionnaire universel des fossiles (1763) and Recueil de divers traités sur l'histoire naturelle (1766). By examining Bertrand's life and writings, we may come to appreciate the strengths and shortcomings of his visions of the natural world. His focus on collecting, cataloguing, and classifying natural objects and phenomena fitted the classic concept of natural history in his era. On the basis of his observations, he dared to systematize and theorize. His work provides a window on his time and on attempts of natural theologians then to understand the products and operation of the world. Once a counsellor to the King of Poland, a correspondent of Voltaire, and a contributor to the Encyclopédie , Bertrand's name has largely vanished from view. His hope to observe the world of nature so as to comprehend the word of God yielded constructive results but did not succeed in fulfilling natural theology's boldest aspirations.

Abstarct Black Hand Gorge State Nature Preserve is located about 9 mi (15 km) east of Newark, Ohio. It is readily accessible from Ohio 16 and 146, as shown on Figure 1. The area became a state nature preserve in 1975 and is accessible on a year-round basis during daylight hours. Canoeing in the river and bicycling along a recently constructed bicycle trail are possible when weather and water level permit. The gorge is located on the west-central area of the Toboso (Ohio) 7½-minute Quadrangle (Fig. 2).