Reports and Proceedings — Geological Society of London. 181 



The report of the Library and Museum Committee enumerated 

 the large additions made to the Society's Library during the past 

 year, and referred to the continuance of the work of labelling and 

 registering the specimens in the Museum by Mr. C. Davies Sherborn. 



In handing the Wollaston Medal (awarded to Professor Ferdinand 

 Zirkel, F.M.G.S., of Leipzig) to Mr. J. J. H. Teall, for transmission 

 to the recipient, the President addressed him as follows : — Mr. 

 Teall :— 



The Council of the Geological Society have this year awarded the "Wollaston Medal 

 to Professor Zirkel, as a mark of their appreciation of the great services which he 

 has rendered to Geological Science, especially in the_ department of Petrology. His 

 ' ' Lehrbuch der Petrographie, ' ' the first edition of which was published more than 

 thirty years ago, is an indispensable adjunct to the library of every petrol ogist. A 

 comparison of the two editions of this monumental work, the second of which has 

 only recently appeared, illustrates in a most striking manner the enormous advance 

 which has taken place in petrographical science during the interval — an advance in 

 no small measure due to the influence exerted by Professor Zirkel, both as a teacher 

 and as an original worker. 



His classic memoir on the " Microscopic Structure and Composition of Basaltic 

 Eocks ' ' was one of the first publications in which the results of the examination of 

 an extensive series of microscopic sections were made known. It marks an epoch in 

 the history of petrography, not only because it greatly extended our knowledge 

 of this important group of rocks, but also because it gave a great stimulus to the study 

 of thin sections under the microscope. It must always be a source of gratification to 

 British geologists that this important work was dedicated to our distinguished Fellow 

 and revered master, Henry Clifton Sorby. 



It is impossible for me to review all Professor Zirkel' s important contributions to 

 Geological and Mineralogical Science, but there is one other that I cannot pass over 

 in silence. I refer to his "Geological Sketches of the West Coast of Scotland." 

 In this memoir Professor Zirkel applied the methods of microscopic analysis, for the 

 first time, to the wonderful records of Tertiary volcanic activity which abound in that 

 region. As an original observer he has made his mark in the history of our time, 

 and as a Professor he has won the esteem and affection of many enthusiastic students. 

 It only remains for me now to request you to transmit to Professor Zirkel this 

 Medal, and at the same time to express to him our great regard and our sincerest 

 wishes that he may long enjoy health and strength to continue his important 

 researches in those branches of Geological Science for which he has already done 

 so much. 



Mr. Teall, in reply, read the following letter, which he had 

 received from Professor Zirkel : — " Mr. President, — 



"The honourable award of the Wollaston Medal is for me one of the most 

 gladdening events of my life. Yet I cannot say whether I am more pleased or 

 surprised at the imexpected annoimcement that I should be considered worthy 

 of so brilliant a distinction, which has been bestowed by this highest tribunal of 

 Geology only on the most illustrious British and Foreign votaries of the science. But 

 to-day aU feelings are merged in one of gratitude to the Members of the Council, 

 who have taken so generous and favom-able a view of my modest labours. As, much 

 to my regret and disappointment, I find myself unable to attend the Annual Meeting, 

 I must trespass upon yoiu- kindness to express by these written words my heartfelt 

 thanks and best acknowledgment for the great honoiu- conferred upon me, of which 

 the most ambitious may well be proud. I receive the Medal as a token of indulgence 

 and encouragement, and it will be an incentive to me still to strive to be more worthy 

 of it and of yom* confidence. Probably I never should have been able to do 

 what I have done, but for the wise example and kind instruction of my old master, 

 Henry Clifton Sorby. The tie of personal friendship which connects me with so 

 many fellow-workers in your country since those bygone days, when Murcliison, 

 Lyell, and Eamsay favoured the young foreigner with their attachment — this tie will 

 be strengthened to-day, and the Geological Society's prosperity and usefulness 

 wiU never cease to be the object of my warmest wishes." 



