1824.] Geological Society. 309 



estimation in which it holds his valuable invention of an engine 

 for calculating mathematical and astronomical tables, being the 

 first medal awarded by the Society. A similar gold medal to 

 Prof. J. F. Encke, Director of the Observatory at Seeberg, in 

 Gotha, for his investigations relative to the comet which bears 

 his name, and which led to the rediscovery of it in 1822. The 

 silver medal of the Society to Prof. Charles Ruuiker for the 

 rediscovery of Encke's comet, and a similar medal to M. Jean 

 Louis Pons, of La Marlia, in Italy, for the discovery of two 

 comets on the 31st of May and 13th July, 1822, and for his 

 indefatigable assiduity in that department of astronomy. The 

 chairman prefaced the presentation of each medal by a most 

 eloquent, learned, and interesting address of considerable length, 

 all of which were delivered in the most impressive manner. Thev 

 were replete with information on the successive improvements 

 in machinery for assisting calculation, as well as on cometary 

 astronomy, and we were happy to find, that in consequence of a 

 motion made by Davies Gilbert, Esq. MP. and seconded by 

 .John Fuller, Esq. they will be printed for circulation among the 

 members. 



The election for the Officers and Council of the Society for 

 the ensuing year then took place, when the following appeared 

 to be the unanimous choice of the meeting, viz. : — 



President. — H. T. Colebrooke, Esq.FRSL. and E. and FLS. 



Vice-Presidents. — C. Babbage, Esq. MA. FRSL. and E. ; 



F. Baily,Esq. FRS. and LS. ; Sir B. Hobhouse, Bart. FRS.; 

 and The Right Hon. George Earl of Macclesfield. FRS. 



lreasiirer. — Rev. W. Pearson, LLD. FRS. 



Secretaries. — O. G. Gregory, LLD. Prof. Math. Roy. Mil 

 Acad. Woolwich; J. Millington, Esq. FLS. Prof. Mech. Philos. 

 Royal Institution. 



Foreign Secretary.— J. F. W. Herschel, Esq. MA. FRSL. 

 and E. 



Council.— Major T. Colby, Roy. Eng. LLD. FRSL. and E. ; 



G. Dollond, Esq. FRS.; Bryan Donkin, Esq. ; Capt. J. Frank- 

 lin, RN. FRS.; D. Gilbert, Esq. MP. VPRS. FLS.; B. Gom- 

 pertz, Esq. FRS.; S. Groombrid»e, Esq. FRS.; and D. Moore, 

 Esq. FRS. SA. and LS. 



Several new members and associates were nominated, and the 

 greater part of the Society adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern, 

 where a dinner was provided. 



GEOLOGICAL so CI ETY. 



Dec. 19, 1823. — A paper was read, containing Geological 

 Observations collected on a Journey through Persia from Busli- 

 ne in the Persian Gulph to Teheran ; by .lames B. Fraser, Esq. 

 MGS. ^ 



The author is of opinion that both the east and west sides of 

 the Persian Gulph to a great extent, consist of a calcareous 



