Foreign Geologists : Prussian School. 569 



adequate analj'sis of its merits) to assure you, that this work will 

 shed fresh lustre on the head of its author and of his associates 

 Rose and Ehrenberg, in elucidating the metamorphism of rocks, the 

 origin of gold veins, and the epoch of formation of the gold alluvia 

 of Siberia ; whilst in expounding the great sources whence the civi- 

 lized nations of antiquity derived their precious metals, Humboldt, 

 the geographer, the geologist, the botanist, the man of universal 

 science, will appear before you as an antiquary and etymologist, not 

 inferior in erudition even to his late illustrious brother. 



In correcting the errors which had crept into our maps respecting 

 the direction of the great mountain-chains of Central Asia, he places 

 before us, and on the grandest scale, a striking coincidence between 

 the state of mineralization of various parallel meridians, or N. and S. 

 chains, and happily contrasts them with the different characters of 

 those which have an east and west direction. 



These splendid generalizations, like others previously known to 

 us, results arising from a long life of scientific research, are of so 

 extended and diversified a character, that whilst we all applaud, few 

 of us are capable of justly estimating their whole bearing upon the 

 progress of science. 



Although his duties to his sovereign alone prevented our confer- 

 ring upon this great chieftain in science an honour commensurate 

 with his high deserts*, as Englishmen Ave may always reflect with 

 delight, that when Humboldt appeared among us he received the 

 universal homage which is so justly his due, and which his enlight- 

 ened and benevolent monarch must have been proud to acknow- 

 ledge as one of the highest compliments we could off'er to himself 

 and to his people. 



In explaining the motives which induced the Council to award the 

 medal of this year to M. von Buch, I have necessarily dwelt not 

 only upon the former great services rendered by that eminent geo- 

 logist, but also to his recent palaeontological works. So actively 

 indeed is he employed, that even whilst I write he is preparing a 

 monograph on the genus Productus, thus offering fresh evidence 

 of his sagacity and indefatigable research. 



Ehrenberg, to whom I have elsewhere alluded, is daily adding to 

 his conquests over the invisible realms of nature, and Gustaf Rose has 

 written on the metamoii)hism and mineral structure of the Ural 

 with so much ability, that it will be my special business to dwell at 

 some lengtii on this topic on another occasion. 



In the construction of improved geological maps of various parts 

 of the IVussian dominions. Professor von Dechen still pursues his 

 useful and meritorious career. His large and detailed map of the 

 Rlienish i)rovinces, in which he has been aided by Erbrcich and 

 other good geologists of the Prussian school of mines, is I be- 

 lieve com))leted. Two years ago M, von Dechen kindly I'urnisiied 

 me with an unfinished copy, which has served as the model, IVom 

 which has been taken the small map prepared for the Transac- 



* Allusion is here made to the proposed national British scientific festival 

 in his honour, which Baron Humboldt was compelled to decline. 



Phil. Mag. S. 3. Vol. 20. No. 1 3*. Suj^i^l. July 1 84-2. 2 Q 



