20 PEOCEEDIKGS OF THE 



cologiques' of M. Tliuret, and in 1876-80 lie published the 

 * Notes Algologiques,' with their magnificent illustrations of the 

 structure aud life-history of Algae ; these books are the subject 

 of daily reference by all students of phycology. Since then 

 M. Bornet has published a steady stream of scientific papers of 

 exceptional interest, among which I would especially note his 

 various memoirs on the Protophyceae and on the Algae which 

 perforate calcareous bodies. His researches are in active pro- 

 gress, and even in course of publication, and we may happily 

 still look forward to further achievements by this distinguished 

 botanist, on whose behalf I now present this Medal. 



M. Eaymond Lecomte having received the Medal on behalf 

 of M. Bornet, read the following letter of acknowledgment : — 



" Monsieur le President de la Societe Linneenne : — 



"En me decernant sa medaille d'or immediatement apres des 

 savants aussi eminents que MM. Hooker et de Candolle, la 

 Societe Linneenne me fait un honneur dont je lui suis d'autant 

 plus reconnaissant que ni le nombre ni I'etendu de mes travaux 

 ne me placent a un rang aussi eleve parmi les botanistes con- 

 temporains. La Societe a voulu sans doute, en m'attribuant une 

 aussi haute distinction, recompenser les efforts d'une vie con- 

 sacree toute entiere a la recherche de la verite, sans autre pre- 

 occupation que de la decouvrir et de I'exposer en toute simplicite 

 telle qu'elle s'est montree. 



" Que la Societe veuille bien agreer I'expression de ma recon- 

 naissance. 



" Je vous prie d'accepter pour vous-meme, Monsieur le Presi- 

 dent, I'hommage de mes sentiments respectueux. 



" Ed. BoEifET, E.M.L.S." 



The obituary notices of deceased Eellows were then read : — 



James Backhouse was born 22nd October, 1825, at York, 

 where his father carried on the old-established nursery so long 

 known for its alpine plants as a strong and special feature. 

 The father's travels in South Africa and Australia are well 

 known ; with him the subject of our remarks was accustomed 

 to spend his holidays in exploring botanically the mountainous 

 parts of Wales and Scotland, and, with Richard Spruce, in 

 opening up the rich treasures of Upper Teesdale. At that time 

 trips of this kind were not so feasible as now; many of the 

 places they visited were accessible only by dint of toilsome 

 journeys on foot and rough fare at the end of each day. Back- 

 house's chief contribution to botanical literature was his ' Mono- 

 graph of the British Hieracia,' published in 1856, in which he 

 showed his keen discrimination of diff'erentiating characters. 

 Eor many of the later years of his life he was accustomed to 

 spend a part of his summer in Teesdale, generally at the High 



