THE 
GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE. 
NEW. sehles. DECADE VV.” VOLE.” IN, 
No. I1X.—SEPTEMBER, 1907. 
Oe GeeNPAL Ey) Ack SS eee se 
I.—TuHEe Centenary OF THE GeEoLOGIcAL Socrery or Lonvon. 
N January last we referred to the celebrations in honour of this 
important event.! We have now the pleasure to call. attention 
to the ‘‘ History of the Geological Society of London,” * a work which 
has been written by Mr. Horace B. Woodward, F.R.S., F.G.S., in 
commemoration of the Centenary. Mr. Woodward has had the help 
of Mr. H. W. Monckton, Treasurer, who has described the Medals of 
the Society, Mr. R. S. Herries, M.A., V.P., who supplies a correct 
version of the Charter, and Professor E. J. Garwood, M.A., Secretary, 
who undertook to deal with illustrations. Sir A. Geikie, K.C.B., 
President, Professor Watts, F.R.S., Secretary, Professor Bonney, 
F.R.S., and Dr. H. Woodward have assisted by reading the proofs, but 
they are ‘‘not responsible for any individual statements” except 
where expressly acknowledged. These and other persons are duly 
thanked for the help afforded. 
The result of Mr. Woodward’s laborious researches has been the 
production of a book of the greatest possible interest, and one which 
should be read, not merely by the Fellows of the Geological Society, 
but by all geologists interested in the history of their science. It is 
a record of first-class importance, and is, on the whole, a fair and 
accurate account of the events which have occurred in the Geological 
Society up to 1860, for the later years are perhaps too fresh in the 
memories of many to allow of that pleasing view obtained by distance. 
Opening with a rapid sketch of the histories of academies and 
learned societies before 1800 and a note on early geological researches 
in England, the author refers to the Askesian Society, which, founded 
in 1796, became the parent of the British Mineralogical Society in 
1799, Amalgamating in 1806, these two Societies apparently threw 
off a ‘‘ Geological Dinner Club” on 13th November, 1807, which club 
consisted of the following thirteen members:—Arthur Aikin (1773- 
1854), William Allen (1770-1843), Wiliam Babington (1750-1833), 
1 Arranged to take place at Burlington House, London, commencing on Thursday, 
September 26th, and ending September 30th, 1907, under the presideney of 
Sir A. Geikie, K.C.B., F.R.S. 
2 «¢ The History of the Geological Society of London,’’ by Horace B. Woodward, 
F.R.S. 8vo; pp. 336, with 23 portraits and 5 illustrations of medals awarded by 
the Society. (London: published by the Geological Society, Burlington House, 
August, 1907. Price 7s. 6d.; to Fellows, 6s.) 
DECADE V.—VOL. IV.—NO. IX. 95 
