Geological Society of London. 183 



as a geologist, and as expressive of the warm sympathy and attachment existing 

 between English and American men of science to-day. 



The Ambassador of the United States replied as follows : — Mr. 

 President, — 



There is but a single drawback to my pleasure on this occasion, and that is the 

 absence of my fellow-countryman, Dr. C. D. AValcott, whose merits, and services 

 to science, you have so generously recited, and by this Medal have so fittingly 

 rewarded. 



Dr. Walcott has been awarded this Medal ex dehito justitice — not merely honoris 

 causa — and I feel the greatest satisfaction that I should have been deputed by him to 

 receive it in his name and stead, and permitted by your courtesy so to act for him. 



The gratification of Dr. Walcott will be sincere, and his feelings may be best 

 expressed by the couplet — 



" Praise from such lips 'tis mine with joy to boast — 

 They best can give it who deserve it most." 



And the gratification will not be confined to him, but throughout that broad land it 

 will extend among his countrymen, who will be proud and well pleased to see merit 

 recognized, and honour bestowed upon one of that country's deserving sons. 



And I must personally acknowledge more than my equal share of the pleasure that 

 I feel in the bestowal of the honour, for I am here as the Envoy of my Country — 

 and especially charged with the maintenance of friendship, good will, and confidence 

 between the people of both nations — so that, when I realize the service performed 

 by such an occurrence as this in swelling the current of good understanding and 

 friendship between the peoples of the two countries, my sense of obKgation to your 

 Society and its Fellows is sensibly strengthened. 



For my fellow-countryman I receive this mark of distinction — and in his name, 

 and in the name of his country, and for myself, I return you thanks. 



The President then proceeded to read his Anniversary Address, 

 in which he first gave Obituary Notices of several Fellows and 

 Foreign Members deceased since the last Annual Meeting, including 

 the Chevalier Dr. Josef Szabo (elected a Foreign Member in 1884) ; 

 M. Gustave Honore Cotteau (elected a Foreign Member in 1891) ; 

 Prof. George Huntington Williams (elected Foreign Correspondent 

 in 1892) ; William Pengelly (elected in 1850) ; William Topley 

 (elected in 1862) ; Henry Bean Mackeson (elected in 1844) ; the 

 Kev. Edward Hale, Joseph Bickerton Morgan, Lord Swansea, better 

 known as Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart, (elected in 1850} ; and James 

 Adey Birds. 



He congratulated the Fellows upon the completion of the 50th 

 volume of the Quarterly Journal, and the preparation of an Index 

 for fifty years (now in progress). 



He referred to the generally satisfactory state of the Society's 

 affairs, to the desirability of extending the Library, and the inutility 

 of any longer maintaining a Museum, the space occupied by which 

 was needed for books. On the subject of finance the President 

 expressed the opinion that sufficient funds had been invested to 

 safeguard the interests of the Society. He alluded to the loss 

 sustained by the retirement of Prof. Wiltshire, who had held the 

 office of Treasurer for thirteen years. He also commended to the 

 Fellows the Council's selection of Dr. Blanford to succeed him 

 in that office, as likely to be very beneficial to the Society. The 

 President advocated the desirability of admitting ladies to the 

 Evening Meetings of the Society, and referred to a number of 



