134 Transactions of the Society. 



nature of these discouragements, but it is right that they should be 

 referred to in order that we may do justice to the indomitable 

 pluck and perseverance which enabled him to work on, in spite of 

 all depressing influences, with undiminished energy and zeal. It 

 is, however, deeply to be regretted that owing to the want of proper 

 assistance his work was seriously hampered, and much valuable 

 material remained unutilised at the time of his death. 



Apart from the scientific papers — 200 or more in number — to 

 some of which I shall refer in the second part of this address, we 

 may mention the great "Etude sur le Terrain houiller de Com- 

 mentry," published in 1888-90, in which M. Zeiller co-operated, 

 a complete account of a rich flora of Upper Coal-Measure age. A 

 work of even greater importance from a general point of view was 

 the "Bassin houiller et penmen d' Autun etd'Fjpinac: Flore Fossile." 

 The first volume, limited to Ferns, was by M. Zeiller, and appeared 

 in 1890. The second, accompanied by a magnificent atlas of over 

 60 plates, is the sole work of Eenault ; it appeared in 1893-6, and 

 deals with all groups of palaeozoic plants, and more especially with 

 their internal structure. In this great book his work may be said 

 to have culminated, though the stream of his publications flowed 

 vigorously to the last. 



Eenault appears to have been as successful in the character of 

 a public lecturer, especially at his native town of Autun, as he 

 was in the field of original investigation. M. Eoche speaks of him 

 as " a great populariser of Science." Owing chiefly to his influence, 

 Autun became a scientific centre of an importance almost un- 

 paralleled in the case of a provincial town. 



Eenault's health began to be seriously affected in the year 1902, 

 when he was much troubled by retinal hemorrhage, which for some 

 time compelled him to forego the use of Microscope or lens — a 

 painful deprivation to so zealous an investigator. This affection 

 of the eyes was but a symptom of severe internal mischief, and the 

 end soon approached. It is a comfort to learn that the patient 

 suffered little and never realised his danger, his friends, who were 

 well aware of his critical condition, studiously keeping the know- 

 ledge from him. He preserved his consciousness to the last, with- 

 out any anticipation of death, and passed away on October 16, 

 1904. 



The French Academy had always recognised the value of 

 Eenault's work, as shown by various prizes awarded him, at dates 

 ranging from 1873 to 1902. Since his death I hear that it has 

 been proposed to name one of the streets of Paris after him, an 

 honour often conferred on deceased men of science in that capital. 

 I have had the privilege of seeing a large number of letters from 

 Members of the Academy vigorously supporting this proposal. 



For the photograph of Eenault reproduced in this address I am 

 indebted to his cousin, Madame Bocquet Eenault, who, I under- 



