Geological Society. 53 



so much skill in the dissection, if I may call it so, of fossils, from 

 amidst the matrix that conceals them, that many of the finest speci- 

 mens in that rich and beautiful collection which his liberality has 

 opened to the public, may almost be considered as the works of his 

 hand : his active researches in different branches of natural history, 

 and more especially his investigations in comparative anatomy, preg- 

 nant with inferences and analogies illustrative of the early history 

 of our planet, are convincing proofs of the energy and activity of his 

 mind, of his determined love of knowledge, of his parsimony of time, 

 of his unbounded prodigality of labour. His discovery of the Igua- 

 nodon in 1828, and his determination of the place which it occupied 

 in the scale of animated beings, prove his sagacity and acquaintance 

 at that early period with the principles of anatomical and zoological 

 science. So strange to the eye of the naturalist were the first 

 discovered remains of this gigantic animal, that Cuvier himself knew 

 not to what genus recent or fossil they could with any propriety 

 be assimilated. Mr. Mantell discerned its relation to the Iguana, 

 and the fortunate and wholly unexpected disinterment which has 

 lately taken place at Maidstone of a considerable assemblage of the 

 fossil bones of this creature*, together with the impression of a tooth, 

 confirm in many respects his early conjectures. The Hylseosaurus, 

 also, another extinct genus, was first brought to light by Mr. Man- 

 tell's labours, and correctly illustrated by the application of his ana- 

 tomical knowledgef . I will only add, in the way of congratulation, 

 that his perseverance in these interesting researches is not remote 

 from the habits, or at variance with the duties of his profession ; for, 

 as you are well aware, the examination of the human body is one 

 department of that wide and beautiful field of comparative ana- 

 tomy in which he finds amusement ; and to become well acquainted 

 with the ceconomy and physiology of man, it is necessary to study 

 the structure of other animals. We hope and trust, that Mr. Man- 

 tell may long possess health and strength to advance further and 

 further still in his honourable career, and we request you, Sir, to 

 convey to him our earnest wish that in every department of life he 

 may meet with that success which his industry and talents so emi- 

 nently deserve. 



The President then presented, in the name of the Society, a purse 

 of guineas to Mr. Lyell to be by him conveyed to Mr. Mantell, and 

 informed him that the remaining portion of the proceeds of the fund 

 had been laid out on a Medal, which would likewise be forwarded to 

 him. 



The Meeting then proceeded to ballot for the Officers and Council 

 for the ensuing year; when the following gentlemen were declared 

 duly elected: — 



Officers.— President, Charles Lyell, jun. Esq. F.R.S. & L.S. : 

 Vice Presidents^ Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton, Bart. M.P. 

 F.R.S. ; Roderick Impey Murchison, Esq. F.R.S. & L.S. j Edward 

 Turner, M.D. F.R.S. L. & E. Professor of Chemistry in the Uni- 



* [See Loncl. and Edinb. Phil. Mag., vol. v. p. 77. Edit.] 

 f [See vol. ii. p. 150—151. Edit.] 



