374 Geological Society: — Anniversary o/1839. 



Wallachia, and the south of Russia, at the commencement of 1838, 

 were the precursors of the eruptions of Vesuvius and Etna during 

 the summer of the same year. 



Annual General Meeting, Feb. 15, 1839. 



The President announced that the Wollaston Medal and £20 

 had been awarded by the Council to Professor Ehrenberg- of Berlin, 

 for his discoveries respecting Fossil Infusoria ; and in delivering the 

 Medal with the accompanying sum of money into the hands of the 

 Chevalier Bunsen, who was present, Mr. Whewell addressed him as 

 follows : 



Mr. Bunsen, 



I have great pleasure in delivering into your hands the WoUas- 

 ton Medal, which the Council of this Society have awarded to your 

 countrj^man Professor Ehrenberg, for his discoveries respecting Fos- 

 sil Infusoria. These discoveries, eminently striking and curious to 

 all intelligent persons, are full of the most lively interest for Geolo- 

 gists. Such discoveries are a just reward of M. Ehrenberg's merits, 

 since he had prepared himself for this success by a profound study 

 of natural history, by persevering and scrutinizing researches, and by 

 extensive and enterprising travels. We gladly give this medal as a 

 proof that we sympathize in the admiration which these discoveries 

 have excited throughout scientific Europe. 



To manj' others, and to myself in particular, there is an additional 

 source of pleasure at having such a communication to make to M. 

 Ehrenberg, in the circumstance of our having recently become ac- 

 quainted with him, and having seen personally in our own country 

 the evidences of his talents and genius, his simple and strenuous 

 love of knowledge. We beg you to communicate to him with this 

 medal the expression of our admiration in his labours, our deep inter- 

 est in their results, and our warm wishes that he may long have 

 granted him the health and energy and opportunity which their suc- 

 cessful prosecution demands. 



Allow me to say also, that we trust that this token of our respect 

 will be kindly received by M. Ehrenberg's countrymen as well as by 

 himself, and that they will accept it as a testimony how gladly we 

 do honour to the profound knowledge and patient research which 

 distinguish that great branch of the European family, I rejoice to 

 be able to deliver this medal into the hands of a distinguished coun- 

 tryman of Professor Ehrenberg ; and I cannot but add, as an addi- 

 tional ground of satisfaction, into the hands of one, who, by his wide 

 acquaintance with men of science and learning, and with their works, 

 is so well prepared to sympathise with their honours and successes, 

 as he is by his nature prompted to rejoice in excellence of every 

 kind. 



The Chevalier Bunsen acknowledged the distinction conferred 

 upon Professor Ehrenberg in the following terms : — 



Sir, — I feel highly gratified by the honour conferred upon me, of 

 receiving at your hands the valued acknowledgement of the merits 

 of my distinguished countryman. Professor Ehrenberg, and I beg to 



