67 t

Thirteen decades of biological .^

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oceanography in Belgium if

Some highlights (1840s to 1970s)by Roge

Abstract Key wordsalgae, Belgica, cetaceans, shellfish, de Gerlache

IntroductionUpon its creation, the Royal Institute ofNatural Sciences of Belgium viewed its nus-sion as a research centre and a museum witha focus at that time on biology and related WhenJean-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997), thensciences. The discovery of a remarkable trove director of the Musee Oceanographique deof dinosaur fossils in 1878 - the best known Monaco, hosted the first Congress on theof which is perhaps Iguanodon bemissarensis - History of Oceanography in Monaco inprobably strengthened this trend, giving ako 1966, he limited the historical period to be

a vigorous impetus to paleontology, and of covered by papers as that leading up to 1922.course geology in general. Since those early In the proceedings publication, Belgiantimes the Institute broadened its perspective efforts preceding that date were discussed byand its endeavours soon encompassed all A. Capart (1968) who stressed the importantfields of the natural sciences. Though many role played by Gustave Gilson [see photo on p.may believe that oceanography was a rehtive 388, in the article by this author on cetaceans, inkte-comer on the scene of the Institute, this this volume]. In addition, R. Charlier andis not an accurate vision. An important place E. Leloup (1968) gave a broad review ofhas long been given to the denizens of the achievements.The present paper will not start

sea. This paper retraces the first steps ofbio- its overview in 1922 and proceed to the

logical oceanography in Belgium through 1970s. Because of the historical nature of this

the more recent times and pays tribute to paper, discussion will be limited to the signif-those, in the country, who contributed to the icant events in the first 130 years ofdevelop-

knowledge of life in the oceans, present and ment. Contrary to the 1968 paper, it willfocus solely on the field of biologicalpast.

Ocean sciences bridging the ,mllennia A spean-m of historical accounts S/»9

oceanography. It would be faUadous to sur- another, fostered the study of cetaceans, sire-mise that, in Belgium, only at the Royal Imti- neae and sharks.

tute of Natural Sciences were marine biologyand biological oceanography given attention. The first stepsOther organizations, research centres and uni-

^nt ^L ^- Li. -S-JL L -J

versities gave these disciplines a rightful shareof attention. The famed Belgica expedition to Belgium's Royal Institute of Natural His-the South Pole (Fig. 1), for one, provided tory, which today bears the name Royalopportunities for considerable attention to sea Institute for Natural Sciences (Fig. 2), andlife; the troves of fossil bones inAntwerp, for the Royal Museum of Natural Sciences are

now more than a hundred years old [Seeeditors' note no. i on names of places and insti-tutions etc.]. They have shown considerableinterest in dinosaurs; a trove of which was

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Fig. 1. The Belgica South Pole expedition Fig. 2. The Royal Institute of Natural Sciencescentennial (1897-1997) j(formeriy'of Natural History') of Belgium(Source: Belfim Postal Administmtion [ta Poste-De Post-Die-Post]) (Source of photo :Tlie Royal Institute ofNatuml Sciences, with the

kind assistance ofThierry Hubin)

37t Ocean sciwces bridging the miUemiia. A ;.pecirum ofhiswiiud awmts

1978, hailed Gustave

Gilson as a forerunner ini

Belgian oceanography, per-haps going a step too far bynaming him the father orfounder of Belgianoceanography; there hadbeen other researchers

before him. Gilson expand-ed a marine laboratory inOstend, where a modest

station had already beenopened in 1842; herePierre Joseph Van Beneden(1809-1894; see article oncetaceans by this author,p. 385 in this volume)started his study of theTetrarhincae, the first steptowards his discovery thatsome parasitic animals nor-maUy transit through a suc-cession of host animals. He

contributed furthermore to

Fig. 3. Dinosaur fossfls from the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences the knowledge of coelen-collection terates, worms, bryozoae,(Somce'.The Royal Institute ofNatwdt Sdem.es, with the kind assistance ofThierrji Hitbin)

crustaceans and fishes.

found near Bernissart, in Belgium. Other Gilson followed in the footsteps of hisexceptionaUy rich deposits of fossils were mentor Van Beneden and in collaboration

found in and near Antwerp (Van Beneden, with Edouard Dupont (1841-1911), then1885). (Fig. 3.) Among the fossil dinosaurs director of the Royal Museum of Naturalunearthed in Belgium was Mosasaurus (lit History of Belgium, undertook the system-erally, the 'dinosaur of the River Meuse'); it atic and ethological study pl of the Belgianhas been seldom mentioned in the litera- coast's marine fauna. They found that thisture, except by Maurice Leriche of the fauna was rich and varied, far more so then

Free University of Brussels (ULB lt)) in his than now. (Biodiversity along the coast hasgeology course syllabus (1930 - 1941). considerably declined since then.) Gilson

Andre Capart (1968), who was director participated in several research cruises butof the Institute during the period 1958- also conducted research in his laboratory, in

Ocean science!, bridging ihe millennia - A spcanwi of historical acfounts 371

particular on the feeding and reproduction ously, visitors hardly ever look up at the cor-of fishes. He succeeded Dupont as head of nice of the building, to view the bows carvedthe museum. Thereafter the museum, which in the stone, nor downwards while they sip abecame the Royal Institute, conducted cool drink on the building's roof terrace.research in the North Sea, Southern Atlantic, Here you can spot, amongst the bows, theAntarctica, Indian Ocean and Mediter- Belgica, a former Norwegian schooner-ranean. The Thornton Bank benthic fauna whaler. It was acquired by Adrien de Ger-was studied by Edouard Van Beneden, who lache de Gomery (Fig. 4)was following in the footsteps of his father, for his attempt to reachEJ. Van Beneden (Arnold, 2001) [see photo on the South Pole with ap. 391 in the article on cetaceans by Charlier in team of intrepid seamenthis volume]. Gilson also conducted advanced and researchers at theresearch on the quantitative and qualitative 1 of the 19th centuryvariations of plankton, but it was Alphonse helfhout, 1998). AMeunier who, in a masterly way, described e anecdote recalls that,and illustrated the micro-plankton of the he dme of setting sail,Flemish Sea. creditors blocked herFig. 4. Adrien

From 1901 onwards the non-govern- de Geriache departure at dockside in(Source: www.rebelped-mental Fisheries School, also Ostend-based, Antwerp. In the end,dler.com)

conducted research on the biology of the some wealthy and sym-flounder. Gilson's laboratory was destroyed pathetic Antwerp citizens came to the rescueduring the First World War (1914-1918) and of the captain and his expedition. In appre-despite all his efforts, a marine station was ciation for their financial generosity, de Ger-never built [in his lifetime] on Belgian lache named an island he discovered in theshores.p) In the post-SecondWorldWar years Antarctic Ocean (or very southern Adantica new private museum was built in Ostend; Ocean, whichever designation is preferred),

A

some scientific endeavours are currendy He d'Anvers (Antwerp Island). [5]

pursued in the facilities. w

The Belgica epicre of Antarctica

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The following is a description of the expe-The late 19th and the early 20th centuries didon as presented by Gaston de Gerlachewere marked by a flurry of daring polar de Gomery, son of the explorer, on the occa-expeditions. The interest in the earth's sion of the release of a commemorative'extremities' did not by-pass Belgium. Chris- stamp by the Belgian Postal Administrationtian Carpine (1968) dealt with the explo- for the expedition's centennial (1997, seeration vessels adorning the facade of the Fig. I):Musee Oceanographique de Monaco. Curi-

Ocean sde:tces bridaing the m'lkmiia -A spectru;,i ofhiswriul ticcoustts

'On February 28,1898, my father [...] made Antarctic night. [In] March 1899 [theya decision that would bring major additions reached] Punta Arenas. [...] De Gerlacheto the knowledge of the Antarctic regions sent a long telegram to the Geographical[...]. He and Georges Lecointe, his naviga- Society of Brussels and one to his father:tion officer, decided, notwithstanding [...] "Belgica, Adrien" [which telegram arrivedthat it was late in the season, to penetrate as first, bringing the first news in fifteenfar as possible in the Antarctic waters. The months that they were] safe and sound'.pack ice with its many recesses seemed nav- Not only was it the first expedition toigable. Perhaps they would even succeed in winter in the Antarctic, it was also the firstreaching the continent's shore. If, however, polar expedition with a 'clearly stated scien-they failed to start in time, the ship might dfic' character. Hence, observations coverednot resist the pressure of the ice and the an entire year and it was one of the mostcrew might be unable to endure the severe fruitful polar expeditions ever; the consider-cUmate. [Yet] it was decided to head further able amount of information gathered is stillsouth. [At latitude] 71° 31' S, the ship being consulted today. Its innovative, multi-became wedged in the pack ice, leaving the national crew included Roald Amundsen

crew no other choice than to seek refuge in who achieved fame when, on 15 Decemberthe huU of the ship. They would remain 1911, he reached the geographical poleimprisoned there for a year! (Fig. 5, next page).

The Belgica had left Antwerp on 16 Among the Belgica scientists wasAugust 1897. After a successful transatlantic Romanian biologist Emil Racovitza [seecrossing and stopovers in Punta Arenas and illustration, Plate 6 in colour section] (Racov-States Island, she headed for the roughly itza, 1998). His valuable observations con-charted regions to the south of the Ameri- tributed to biological oceanography, somecan continent. On January 27, 1898, the of which were apdy recalled by a grandsonexpedition discovered a passage leading of the expedition's director (G. de Gerlache,toward the southeastward direction. For 1998a) and by Alexandru Bologa (1990,three weeks they sailed in all directions to 1997) of Mamaia-Constantza, including bychart the area. This strait, which is 200 kilo- the latter's presentations at the Fifth andmetres in length and located between Gra- Sixth International Congresses on the His-ham Land and a long string of islands, is tory of Oceanography (ICHOV and VI) atnow known as the Gerlache Strait. On 16 Lajolla, California (USA), 1993, and Qing-February, the Belgica left this strait and dur- dao (China), 1998 [see Bologa (2004), thising almost a fortnight hugged the edge of volume, p. 209].the pack ice. From 3 March 1898 to 14 No sciendfic effort was spared duringMarch 1899 [...] the vessel remained at the the first trip of the Belgica. Racovitza gath-mercy of the elements. She would only ered considerable bio-geographical infor-break free of the ice after superhuman mation on Antarctic pelagic and abyssalefforts by the crew weakened by the long species. On different journeys, D. Damas

Ocean sciences bridging the millennia - A spectium of historical accounts 3?3

conference proceedings have been pub-lished (Bologa and Marinescu, 2002). Thecorrespondence of the responsible partiesof the Antarctic expedition constitute avaluable testimony of a milestone in thehistory of science (Marinescu, 1998).

Yet it took a century for a book torelate in detail the story of the de Gerlaches(Schelfhout, 1998). In the span of one cen-tury, three generations of de Gerlaches wereinvolved in scientific endeavours relating tothe polar regions linking inexorably theirname to the history of those areas. The deGerlache family members (Gerlache deGomery, 1998b) have pursued their oceano-graphic endeavours to these days, and thepresent Belgian oceanographic vessel, alsonamed Belgica, carries on the fine tradition.

Some fields of research

Fig. 5. Roald Amundsen trecking to the South Pole. ^ .ses ; 3 ^ L as Tj- ;. ac^.. u(L ~ac .t

(Source: NOAA, USA)The fields of research in biological oceanog-raphy cover a wide spectrum. Some belong

and E. Koefoed studied the Greenland Sea to stradgraphic palaeontology rather than toplankton. On later trips of the Belgica, L. marine biology. Algae and marine mammalsStappers collected valuable information on have occupied an important place on thebiotic zones. Damas captured a young 'Spir- roster of scientific concerns.

ula', a zoological rarity because of its spiralshell, similar to that of the fossil ammonites. AlgaeHis laboratory studies concentrated on Belgian scientists participated in the European

[6]floating organisms and adaptations to the Union COST-48 programme (1984 - 1994)environment and Ufe conditions of the area. and its successors on algae utiUzation and val-

The discoveries of the Belgica expedi- ourizadon, even though at the time the pro-tion, which drifted for nearly 3300 kilome- gramme was launched much of Belgium'stres in the Antarctic, were touched on by algal research addressed microphytes ratherHugo Decleir (1998) at the conference held than marine and estuarine macrophytesin Romania, honouring Racovitza and the (Charlier, 1986; Morand et al., 1990). They100th anniversary of the first voyage; the participated in and contributed to the

Ot,-d;i sciences 'jndyng the milknnia A. spectium of historiccd accoMits

Lhoumeau (France), Zeist (Netherlands), St. Fisheries, a traditional occupation of theMalo-Pleubian (France) and Sorrento (Italy) villages (e.g. Coxyde, Newport, Ostend,European Union-sponsored workshops. Blankenberge, Zeebruges, Heist) bordering

The proceedings of these meedngs the North Sea, have likewise declined. Of

include a survey of numerous Belgian algolog- the numerous fishing vessel registrationsical (phycological) efforts on algae utilizadon (Van Bladel, 1930), de facto only those ofin food, feed and methane production (Char- Newport, Ostend, Zeebruges and Heist sub-lier and Senten, 1992); Belgian researchers and sist. Many a former fishing harbour has beenacademics authored, or co-authored (as an totally or partially tutned into a yacht basinoutfaU of the workshops) papers on the eco- with the economic base of the towns shift-

nomic use ofmacro-algae and eutrophication ing primarily to recreation and tourism. Theproblems in Europe, in the two European horseback shrimp-fishermen of Oost-Union-sponsored recendy released volumes, duinkerke are now merely a folkloric carry-published respectively by J. Wiiey & Sons in over of bygone times (Fig. 6), but a splendidNew York-Chichester (by Morand et al.,1991) and Springer Veriag in NewYork-Hei-delberg-Berlin (by Charlier and Lonhienne,1996). Review papers have also appeared in s

the International Journal of Environmental Studies(IJES), Applied Phycology and Hydwbiologia(1966). A study on the use of algae to treatcontaminated (waste) waters has been pub-lished in die last (to this date, expected end2003) issue of the International Journal ofEnvi-mnmental Studies.

Fisheries and aquacultureAlthough a small revival of mytiliculture [7]

?

and even ostreiculture (in 2002) has beenattempted during the last five years or so, thepollution of the North Sea waters for manydecades and the competition of aquaculturehave gready reduced the gathering ofmus-sels and oysters. These shellfish have becomeunsafe for human consumption and their Lbeds have virtually disappeared. Claims of Fig. 6. Street marker depicting the horsebackrevival have been made, packages have reap- shrimp fishermen ofyesteryear in Oostduinkerke.Thepeared on shop shelves and research has been tradition is kept up as part of the local folklore.initiated in academic institutions. (Photo courtesy of Roger Chartier)

Oa'di; sciences bridyng the imllantiia spectrum of historical accounts y?5

smaU-sized National Fisheries Museum in ish Association for the Study of Sea Mam-the centre of the town, adjoining a memori- mals for more than 25 years.[9] The modestal to the 'lost at sea', recalls the past. bulletin, Marswyn, in its third issue of volume

The previously mentioned Belgica expe- three (1977), published a rather detailed anddidon (end of the 19th century) contributed well-illustrated review of dolphin and whalesubstantially to ichthyology (Banarescu and sightings and strandings in and around Bel-Nalbant, 1998). Maximilien Lohest and oth- gium. [Marswyn: also spelled marswijn.]ers have also conducted research in academia Charlier [2004, article on cetaceans,on fossil fishes and their environment. p. 385 in this volume] described the presence

The economic aspects of fisheries are of and study on historical period and fossildiscussed to some extent in the lecture cycle cetaceans of Belgium and stressed the'Offshore and Coastal Zone' of the smaU research conducted mainly at the RoyalInter-university Institute for Instruction and Institute. P. Parmender was instrumental in

*

Training (Brussels). Organized by the Bel- their study at the former State University ofgian agencies for Aid to Development, it Ghent (Rijksuniversiteit Gent, now Univer-particularly addresses developing and former sity ofGhent).centralized or controlled economy coun- In view of the cursory panorama pro-tries. vided here, the author has focused elsewhere.

At Bredene (near Ostend) a Fisheries on cetaceans and Belgium whalers (ibid.Research Station reinforces the fisheries 2004, p.385).The present paper deals withefforts of Belgium. The Rijksstation voor the study of cetaceans as they relate to Bel-Zeevisserij (State Station for Sea Fisheries) gium up to the 1970s.thus contributes to the knowledge of the Antwerp has perhaps yielded the largestspecies caught by the Belgian fishing com- trove of fossil bones of cetaceans in the

munity, not only near the coast but also world. The coUection is so large that hun-those fishes brought back from the open sea. dreds of specimens, dating mostly from the

Miocene and Pliocene, have yet to be stud-Whales and dolphins ied after more than half a century since theirBelgian research has also focused its atten- discovery (Fig. 7). Moreover, new finds weretion on cetaceans with the contribudons of made when excavations were carried out for

Van Beneden (1885) and others. Wim de the construction of the 'metro' (under-Smet followed whales and dolphins while he ground transit) and the harbour extensionwas at the Royal Institute of Natural Sci- works.

ences (1972, 1974) and at the University of Pelagic sharks and sireniae were notAntwerp (formerly RUCA) until his uncommon in Oligocene seas. A sea proba-[8]

5

appointment at the University of Rwanda- bly existed during that time stretching fromKigaU. Although retired, he is stiU acdve in the south of present-day Antwerp to nearbythat field, besides promoting a new biologi- contemporary Scodand and connected withcal nomenclature; he spearheaded the Flem- the ocean.

3% Ocean sciences bridging the n'.illennia - A syectrnm ofhistoricat accounts

Th.Hublljoto-foto irscnb-kbin

Fig. 7. Skeletons on display in the Royal Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium, Brussels.(Soun-e ofphoto:The Royal Institute of Natural Sdences, facilitateii through the ijssistaiice ofThierry Hubin).

The fossils included at least 22 species In 1969, the Royal Institute of NaturalofOdontoceti and seven ofMysdceti; even Sciences recuperated and studied the cadavera humpback whale (Megaptera) was idend- of a stranded Mesoplodon bidens. In 1869, thefied by Van Beneden. So far, 18 species of Universite CathoUque de Louvain (nowcetaceans have been identified in recent divided into the Katholieke Universiteit

times; the mammals were sighted off the Leuven [at Louvain] and UniversiteBelgian coast as early as the 9th century Catholique de Louvain [at Louvain-la-and identified since the sixteenth. Study Neuve]), had a Balaenoptera physalus shippedhas been hampered through history in by rail to its laboratories, an unpleasantbecause the necessity to get rid of the bad olfactive experience for railroad stationsodour often led to the rapid burial of the along the route. The denizen's mounted'monster' carcasses. Information about skeleton, for decades on display at themarine mammals was provided by the har- Antwerp Zoological Garden (Royal Zoo-bour and resort town of Ostend, which logical Society), is now at its Planckendaelboasted a private museum of the sea at Domain in Muizen, near Mechlin.

nearby Slijkens until 1860.

Ocean sciences bridging the milknnia A. spectrum of histwiccil a.a.ounts 377

When the Institute reopened its reno- communication, by this author, that willvated museum, it placed several of its sketch them for the last three decades (up tocetaceans in a huge room, the third largest 2003) will be pubhshed at a later date.display room in the world. (The Natural The Royal Institute of Natural SciencesHistory Museum in London and the (with its museum) pursues a tradition ofMuseum d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris have marine biological research, which dates backthe only rooms that outsize it.) On display to Gilson, Leloup and others'. While at theare a total of 18 skeletons (all gathered by Institute, Wim M. A. de Smet studiedRJ. Van Beneden) which includes: the dol- cetaceans (1970,1974).phin (dialectal Flemish: 'potvis') that was The Royal Zoological Society ofstranded in La (De) Panne in 1953, a blue Antwerp has of course an extensive zoologi-whale ('vinvis') 21.1 metres in length cal garden, an impressive museum of naturalwhose cadaver was brought back from Ice- history, a large aquarium and a reptile house.landic waters, four baleen whales and an Its periodical, Zoo, has published someexceedingly rare dwarf whale. (Personal marine biology articles on sea mammals.information from the late E. Leloup, from The Zwin Natural Reserve [10] has pro-the Museum and from De Smet.) vided rich opportunities for marme-related

If one is to include further palaeo-bio- biological studies, particularly in ornithology.oceanography in this brief review, then the Cursory attention is given to marine lifework of Maximilien Lohest (previously in courses at the Higher Institute ofNaviga-mentioned), professor at both the Univer- don, located in Antwerp. Also, the Belgiansities of Liege and Louvain, should be Naval Force indirecdy fosters bio-mannecited. He carried out significant research studies by welcoming aboard scientists andon the fossil fishes of the Upper Devonian thus combines scientific and military mis-Sea that covered a large segment of what is sions.The vessels involved are frequendy Bel-today Belgium. gica of the Naval Force and Zeeleeuw, the

latter belonging to the Flemish WaterIn and out of academia Administration Agency.

I,

Conclusion

Marine biology and biological oceanographyare not offered as separate programmes inBelgian universities and assimilated institu- In August - September 1853, Belgiumdons. However, several researchers have been played a major role in the development ofinvolved in relevant projects and have made what was to become the nascent disciplineimportant contributions to the discipline. An of 'modern' oceanography by hosting, inattempt to cover these acdvides at this point Brussels, a maritime conference for devisingwould increase the length of this paper to an a uniform system of meteorological observa-extent greater than is appropriate. A separate tions at sea. Following the initiative of

3', " Ocean sciences bridging the millennia A spectrum of historical p.ccwmts

Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873), gium or by Belgians, and related or relevanthead of the USA'S Naval Observatory, and to this topic; only a few researchers whoupon the invitation of the USA government, contributed to some aspect or another ofthe maritime conference was attended by oceanography in Belgium are mentioned.representatives from ten maritime nations Further reading should be directed, e.g. toand recommended a uniform system of the various publications of the Royal Insti-observations that helped develop the (then) tute and Museum, such as the Annales du

future science of oceanography (Cf. Musee d'Histoire Naturelle de Belgique; BulletinQuetelet, 1853, 1854; Houvenaghel, 1990). de I'lnstitut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Bel-[See Figures 8a and 8b.] gique, their Flemish counterparts etc. L^]

Though the coastal area of Belgium isquite small, its researchers have gone well Acknowledgmentsbeyond the national horizons, both on ships

1&- 3- '&._-». .-.CL.S: S

and in laboratories. Traditions set a hundred

years ago have not been lost and descendants The production, preparation and researchof de Geriache have 'taken up the baton'. related to this manuscript were sponsored byThere have even been 'dynasties' of marine IDRES/IDRECS. The presentation of thebiologists such as those of the Van Benedens manuscript in Qingdao and attendance thereand the Damas at the University of Liege. of the author were made possible in part by

Only cited works are mentioned in grants from the Organizing Committee ofthe reference list. Thus this scan is by no ICHOVI.

means a comprehensive review of the largenumber of publications published in Bel- Endnotes

1. The Universite Libre de Bruxelles was

divided into an institution that retained

the original name and the acronymULB, plus theVrije Universiteit Brussel,the acronym of which is VUB. Thenames of both institutions translate into

English as the Free University of Brus-sels, but attention must be given to theacronym that foUows.

.*"V-.-fl ;

2. Ethology, from the Greek 'ethos' (in".WSiH s

»'.....

Fig. 8a. Lt. Matthew .^ t'

Fontaine Maury (1806- Latin, 'mores') and 'logos' (science) is the^t /^

1873). Painting by Fig. 8b. Adolphe science of behaviourism.Beveriy Stautz. Quetelet (1796-1874). 3. There is currently a small museum at(Source: United States Naml (Source: H. M. Walker, Studies SUjkens. Ostend may have a renewedObservatory Librafy in the History of Statisticalwww. usno. navy. mil) lease as an oceanography site since IOCMethod, p. 40, Baltimore'.

Williams and WUkins t93-l.) of UNESCO recently decided, joindy

Ocea.i. sciences, bridging she millenniii A spectrum ofhistmcal acwunts 7»"t

.».'"

with the Flemish government, to implant Roger H. CHARUERin that city an ocean science-related Professor Emeritus

activity, particularly to deal with oceano- Free University of Brussels (VUB)graphic data and information treatment 2 Avenue du Congo, (Box 23)and exchange. B 1050 Brussels, Belgium

4. The museum has an interest in cetaceans Tel/fax (Belgium): (+322) 649 0735and fishes. (USA): (+1-773) 286 8024

5. Occasionally referred to in literature as E-mail: roger.charlier@pop.kpn.beAntwerp Island by Anglo-Saxon authors.However, the proper geographical nameremains Anvers Island. Editors' notes

6. COST: European Cooperation in Scien- 1. In his original text, the author often providedtific and Technical research. proper and other names (of Belgian places,

7. Myticulture: the production of edible institutions etc.) in English (for this publica-

mussels, particularly as practised e.g. in don) as well as in the official languages ofBel-Britanny and The Netherlands (Yerseke gium - Flemish, Dutch and/or French - andregion mainly). occasionally in German. Out of respect for the

8. RUCA: Rijks Universitair Centrum plurilingual makeup of the country, followingAntwerpen, which absorbed the State is a list of these words in English with the

Higher Institute for Commerce, the variants in the official languages of Belgium,Colonial University of Belgium. Cur- as per the author.rently the university set-up in Antwerp . Antwerp - Antwerpen; Anversincludes the overarching Universitaire Coxyde - Koksijde.

InsteUingen Antwerp (UIA), then the Flemish Association for the Study of Sea Mam-.

Universiteit Antwerpen and the Univer- mals -VlaamseVereniging voor de Studie vansitaire Faculteiten St. Ignatius. Zeezoogdieren

9. The organization brings together scien- Higher Institute of Navigation - Hogerc Zee-.

tists and 'aficionados' of the study of vaartschool; Insdtut Superieur de Navigadon-marine mammals. It is headquartered at marswijn - marswin (in Danish); marsouin (in38 Hertendreef, in Kalmtout, Belgium. French)

lO.The Zwin Natural Reserve is twinned . Mechlin - Mechelen; Malines

with the natural reseiVe of Mar- . Newport - Nieuwpoort; Nieuportquenterre, located on the Somme River Ostend - Oostende; Ostende.

Estuary (Picardy, France). Royal Institute of Natural History Insdtut.

Royal d'Histoire Naturelle; Koninldijk Insdtuutvoor Natum-geschiedenisRoyal Institute for Natural Sciences - Insritut.

Royal des Sciences NatureUes; Koninklijk Insti-tuut voor Natuurwetenschappen; Konigliches

u "I Oceaw sciences bridging the millennia A spectrum of historical accounts

Insdtut fur NaturwiBenschaften Bologa,A.S. and Marinescu.A. (2002) RomanianRoyal Museum of Natural Sciences - Musee developmental contributions of Emil.

Royal des Sciences NatureUes; KoninkUjk Racovitza and Grigore Antipa to the Scien-Museum voor Natuurwetenschappen; tific Exploration of the Mediterranean. InKtiniglisches Museum fur Naturwifienschaften Oceanographic History, The Pacific andRoyal Zoological Society ofAntwerp - Societe Beyond, Proceedings of ICHO V, La Jolla,.

Royale de Zoologie d'Anvers; Komnklijke California, USA, 1993, eds K. R. Benson

Maatschappij voor Dierkunde and P.F. Rehbock, 275-279, University ofZeebruges - Zeebrugge Washington Press, Seatde - London..

2. A. Quetelet, the author of die first two refer- Capart, A. (1968) L'oeuvre de Gustave Gilson,ences,was the Chairman of the Maritime Con- pionnier de 1'oceanographie beige (thefercnce (Brussels, 1853) Director of the Royal work ofGustave Gilson, pioneer of BelgianObservatory, Secretary of the Belgian Royal oceanography). Premier Congres Interna-Academy of Sciences, Letters and Fine Arts tional d'Histoire de I'Odanographie, Mona-and a friend ofMaury. co, 1966 (first international congress on

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