142 Reports and Proceedings. 



Prof. Dana's works liave a world-wide reputation. Few branches of 

 geology but have received his attention. An able naturalist and a 

 skilful mineralogist, he has studied our science with advantages of 

 which few of us can boast. His contributions to our science embrace 

 cosmical questions of jDrimary importance — pal^ontological questions 

 of special interest — recent phenomena in their bearings on geology, 

 and mineralogical investigations so essential to the right study of 

 rocks, especially of volcanic phenomena. This wide range of know- 

 ledge he brought to bear in the production of his excellent Treatise 

 on Geology, one of the best of our class books, embracing the 

 elements as well as the principles of Geology. His Treatise on 

 Mineralogy exhibits a like skill in arrangement and knowledge in 

 selection. In conveying this testimonial of the high estimation in 

 which we hold his researches to Prof. Dana, may I beg also that it 

 may be accompanied by an expression of how strongly we feel that 

 the bonds of friendship and bi:otherhood are connected amongst all 

 civilized nations of the world by the one common, the one universal, 

 and the one kindred pursuit of truth in the various branches of 

 science, before which special nationality is lost in that general 

 nationality which groups all things and all men under one banner in 

 the study of God's works ! 



Mr. David Forbes, in reply, said that it was to him a great plea- 

 sure to have, in the name of Prof. Dana, to return thanks to the 

 Society for their highest honour, and for this mark of the appre- 

 ciation in which his labours are held in England. It had rarely if 

 ever occurred in the history of the Society that the WoUaston Medal 

 had been awarded to any geologist who had made himself so well 

 known in such widely different departments of the science ; for 

 not only was Prof. Dana pre-eminent as a mineralogist, but his 

 numerous memoirs on the Crustaceans, Zoophytes, coral islands, 

 volcanic formations, and other allied subjects, as well as his ad- 

 mirable treatise on general Geology, fully testify to the extensive 

 range and great depth of his scientific researches. 



At a moment when political troubles threaten the amicable rela- 

 tions so long existent between the two countries, it was a further 

 source of gratification to see, in this award of the Council, not only 

 a token of scientific amity, but also a proof that in science at least no 

 other considerations than those of true merit are allowed to sway. 



The President then presented the Balance of the Proceeds of the 

 Wollaston Donation-fund to Prof. Eamsay, F.E.S., F.G.S., for trans- 

 mission to James Croll, Esq., and addressed him as follows : — 



Prof. Eamsay. — The Wollaston Fund has been awarded to Mr. 

 James Croll, of Edinburgh, for his many valuable researches on the 

 glacial phenomena of Scotland, and to aid in the prosecution of the 

 same. Mr. Croll is also well known to all of us by his investigation 

 of oceanic currents and their bearings on geological questions, and of 

 many questions of great theoretical interest connected with some 

 of the great problems in Geology. Will you, Prof. Eamsay, in 

 handing this token of the interest with which we follow his re- 

 searches, inform Mr. Croll of the additional value his labours have 



