Obituary— Mr. William Pengelhj, F.R.S., F.G.S. 239 



of the Torquay Natural History Society. Ever eager to foster 

 a love for science among the people, and to encourage studies 

 which had for their object the advancement of scientific knowledge, 

 Mr. Pengelly was especially active as a lecturer, and could easily 

 make himself understood by persons totally ignorant of science. 

 Twenty years ago he travelled through the country as one of 

 the most acceptable lecturers of the day. His efforts locally were 

 equally successful. He was instrumental in 1837 in establishing 

 the Torquay Mechanics' Institute, and seven years later, together 

 with the late Mr. Vivian and others, he originated the Torquay 

 Natural History Society, of which he was the Honorary Secretary 

 for many years, and is the last of the original founders. In 1867 he 

 started the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, 

 Literature, and Art, of which he was the President in 18G7-8. 

 From their inception be took a prominent part in these institutions, 

 and his eminent services in many capacities have been recognized 

 on several occasions by the members. Undoubtedly Mr. Pengelly 

 was an enthusiast. As he said in his Manchester lecture in 1872, 

 " the pleasure of the work is the payment," but his valuable and 

 historic labours have not been unrecognized. A regular attendant 

 at the annual meetings of the British Association, over the 

 Geological Section of which he was President, and which for 

 many years he served as Secretary, He was elected F.G.S. in 1850, 

 and received the distinction of F.R.S. in 1863. In 1874 he was 

 the recipient of a testimonial of between 500 and 600 guineas 

 " in recognition of his long and valued services to science generally, 

 and more especially for the exploration of Kent's Cavern, Torquay." 



In 1877 Mr. Pengelly was awarded the " Lyell Geological Fund " 

 by the Council of the Geological Society, and in 1886 the same 

 body conferred upon him the " Lyell Medal " as a mark of honorary 

 distinction, and as an expression of the Council's recognition of his 

 valuable scientific labours. 



Mr. Pengelly was presented with his portrait, painted by A. S. 

 Cope, which now adorns the library of the Natural History Society's 

 Museum in Babbacombe-road, Torquay. On retiring from the 

 Secretaryship of the Society in 1890 he received an address from 

 the members, who " desire to record the high appreciation of the 

 invaluable services rendered to the Society by Mr. Pengelly, who 

 for thirty-nine years has fulfilled the onerous duties of Honorary 

 Secretary," at the same time expressing '' profound regret at his 

 retirement." Altogether the time spent in the exploration of Kent's 

 Cavern was over fifteen years— from 28th March, 1865, to 19th 

 June, 1880 — the cost being met by the British Association and 

 various scientific friends. Mr. Pengelly wrote no less than ninety- 

 two separate memoirs. He was a member of the Society of Friends, 

 but it is as a scientific man that Mr. Pengelly will be best known 

 and remembered. Mr. Pengelly was twice married, but all his 

 children by his first wife died ; the last, Alfred Pengelly, being 

 killed in India whilst hunting big game. He leaves a widow and 

 two danohters, who share their father's scientific tastes. 



