Geological Society of London. 183 



insignificant. I must therefore look elsewhere to discern the motive -which has 

 influenced the Council in selecting ray name on the present occasion in preference to 

 others whose scientific claims are far greater than my own, and I think 1 am right in 

 assigning it to a desire on their part to recognize, encourage, and occasionally reward 

 the labours of those who, although their lot in life has been cast in a sphere entailing 

 many paramount duties which ought not to be neglected, nevertheless devote their 

 leisure time to the promotion of scientific research rather than waste it in frivolous 

 and unproductive amusements. In this sense 1 interpret the mind of the Council in 

 awarding me this Medal, and in this sense, as also as a stimulus and incentive to 

 persevere in the cause of that science in which I take so deep an interest, and from 

 the study of which I have derived so much intellectual enjoyment, I can, without 

 arrogance, most gratefully accept it. May I be permitted to add, that if anything 

 could enhance the feelings of gratification I experience in receiving this, the blue 

 rihhon of geology, it is that it is presented by a President who, although occupying 

 the highest social rank, and called by our gracious Sovereign to fill the highest offices 

 of. State, entailing most onerous duties and grave responsibilities, has nevertheless 

 devoted himself to the study of scientific problems, and has inscribed for himself a 

 name on the tablets of scientific literature, indelible so long as the Eeign of Law shall 

 continue to exist. 



The President then presented the balance of the proceeds of the "WoUaston Dona- 

 tion-Fund to J. W. Judd, Esq., F.G.S., and addressed him as follows: — 



Mr. Judd, — I have much pleasure in delivering to you the award of the Council of 

 this Society in recognition of your valuable researches in the Neocomian and Jurassic 

 rocks of England, researches which you are now extending with such marked success 

 to the Secondary and Palaeozoic rocks of Scotland. I rejoice to know that you are to 

 carry to an investigation of the West coast of Scotland the experience and knowledge 

 you have shown in your recent account of the Secondary rocks of the East coast. 

 The scattered and broken remains of the Oolites in the Hebrides constitute a most 

 interesting field of investigation ; and a detailed examination of them conducted by 

 you cannot fail to cast important light on many geological problems of the highest 

 interest to our science. 



Mr. Judd made the following reply : — 



My Lord President, — The recollection of an occasion like the present may well be 

 cherished by a student of science as an incentive to exertion second only to the en- 

 thusiasm of research itself. Having learned to look to this Society, and never in 

 vain, for the encouragement of sympathy and the guidance of criticism, it is with 

 especial gratification that I receive this mark of confidence at the hands of my teachers 

 and fellow-workers. When I think of the origin and traditions of this bequest — the 

 objects contemplated by its illustrious founder, the distinguished geologists who have 

 been its former recipients, and the important researches to which it has been made 

 contributory — I am deeply impressed by the trust which you have reposed in me. It 

 is my hope that by earnest labour I may be able to testify that my feelings of grati- 

 tude are not evanescent, nor my sense of responsibility light, in connexion with the 

 great honour which you have this day done me. 



The President then presented the Murchison Medal to Mr. William Davies, of the 

 British Museum, and addressed him as follows : — 



Mr. Davies, — I have much pleasure in delivering to you the Murchison Medal, 

 which has been awarded to you by the Council of this Society in recognition of the 

 services you have rendered to Palaeontology in the arrangement of the vertebrate 

 collections in the Geological Department of the British Museum, so as to render them 

 available for the purpose of scientific study, in the skill and knowledge you have 

 displayed in the reconstruction of extinct forms of life. I have the more pleasure in 

 giving this Medal, as I believe you will have the greater pleasure in receiving it, 

 from the fact that it is the first award made under and in fulfilment of the will of 

 the great geologist and excellent man whose loss we have all had so lately to deplore. 

 I trust it may long serve to stimulate others to such services as you have rendered, 

 and which have appeared to the Council of this Society to make you a worthy reci- 

 pient of the First Murchison Medal. 



Mr. Davies, in reply, said : — 



My Lord Duke, — I desire to return my most sincere thanks to your Grace as Presi- 

 dent, and to the Council of this Society, for the honour they have conferred upon me 

 in awarding me the Murchison Medal. It is extremely gratifying to find that the 

 humble services I have rendered to Palaeontological science have been so kindly 



