184 Reports & Proceedings—Geological Society of London. 
study of the external characters of the plant-remains associated with the various 
coal-seams ; and in this manner he has acquired an unrivalled knowledge of 
the distribution of the Carboniferous flora, which has proved of fundamental 
importance both to the geologist and to the practical miner. I may mention, 
as examples of this work, his classic memoirs on the fossil plants of the Yorkshire 
and Staffordshire Coalfields and of Belgian Hainaut. During more recent years 
he has also extended his researches to various facts of structure and morphology 
which have a direct bearing on evolutionary problems. His memoir on the 
fructification of Newropteris heterophylla was the first description of the seed 
of a Pteridosperm in direct continuity with the frond ; while his account of the 
microsporangia of the Pteridosperms first demonstrated the nature of the male 
organs in plants of this transitional group. His description of the internal 
structure of Szgillaria, and his remarkable series of memoirs, with the late 
Professor Gwynne- Vaughan, on the evolution of the Osmundacexz, must also be 
specially mentioned. 
While pursuing his researches he has continually recognized the importance 
of careful field-work, and has thus made a large and valuable collection of 
specimens, which has always been placed freely at the disposal of his fellow- 
paleobotanists. In transmitting this medal, please express our hope that he 
will treasure it not only as a token of our admiration but also of our gratitude. 
Dr. Kitchin replied in the following words :— 
Mr. President,—It is gratifying to be the transmitter of the Murchison Medal 
to one who, a Scotsman himself, has laboured so long and so assiduously in 
elucidating the stratigraphical bearings of the Carboniferous flora. Dr. Kidston, 
I feel sure, would have received this medal with enhanced pleasure, could he 
have listened to your graceful and appreciative references to his work. He asks 
me to express to you his great regret that he is unable to be here in person ; 
and I may add that he is detained by responsible public duties, which have the 
first claim upon his time. 
Dr. Kidston writes: ‘* Will you please express to the President my sorrow at 
not being able to be present to thank the Society personally for the honour that 
they have done me in presenting me with the Murchison Medal, an honour 
which, it is needless for me to say, I very much value and appreciate. 
‘‘The award of this medal brings vividly to my memory that a number of 
years ago the Society awarded to me the Balance of the Proceeds of the 
Murchison Geological Fund, and I would like them to know that these proceeds 
were spent in the purchase of books dealing with Paleozoic Botany. It is only 
workers situated where not a single book on their special subject of study is 
obtainable for reference who can fully appreciate the value of the help that 
_I received from that award, and I hope that the books will eventually be placed 
where they will be of help to others. 
‘* T have now only to thank the Council of the Geological Society once more 
for its kind and encouraging recognition of my work.’’ 
In presenting the Lyell Medal to Dr. Charles William Andrews, 
F.R.S., the President addressed him as follows :— 
Dr. ANDREWS,—The Council has awarded to you the Lyell Medal as an 
acknowledgment of the value of your numerous researches in Vertebrate 
Paleontology. Since your appointment to the Geological Department of the 
British Museum in 1892, you have made excellent use of the opportunities for 
research afforded by your official duties, and important contributions to our 
knowledge of fossil reptiles, birds, and mammals. You were soon attracted by 
the unique Leeds Collection of Oxfordian marine reptiles, and your studies 
of this collection eventually culminated in the two handsome volumes of the 
Descriptive Catalogue, published by the Trustees of the British Museum 
(1910-13), which must always remain a standard work on Ichthyopterygia, 
Sauropterygia, and Crocodilia. Your papers on the South American Stereornithes, 
on Rails from islands in the Southern Seas, and on Prophaéthon from the London 
Clay, are equally valuable contributions to our knowledge of extinct birds. 
