482 Eminent Living Geologists — Prof. John Morris. 



British Organic Eemains," published in 1830, by Samuel Woodward, 

 of Norwich, This well-known geologist, however, died in 1837, 

 and his second son, Dr. S. P. Woodward, at that time a youthful 

 assistant under Mr. William Lonsdale, in the Museum of the Geo- 

 logical Society, not attempting to bring out a new edition of his 

 father's book, the task of supplying geologists with a work meeting 

 this desideratum devolved upon Professor Morris. 



Whilst engaged in preparing this catalogue, he published a 

 valuable series of preliminary notes in the Magazine of Natural 

 History for 1839. These were continued, section by section, for 

 some time previoiis to the appearance of the first complete edition 

 of the Catalogue in 1845. 



In recognition of the task upon which he was engaged, the Council 

 of the Geological Society awarded Mr. Morris the Balance of the 

 Proceeds of the Wollaston Fund for 1842 and 1843. 



The second edition of Morris's Catalogue appeared in ] 854, the 

 Council again recognizing the importance of the work by the award 

 of the Wollaston Fund in 1850 and 1852. 



We believe it is the intention of the author shortly to publish a 

 third edition, for which he has long been engaged in accumulating 

 materials. 



This Catalogue may be placed among the most important contri- 

 butions to modern geology. It is far from being a mere compilation, 

 as every one who has worked with it can testify. Every group, 

 every genus, every species, was made the subject of exact study, 

 and in each department the specialist is surprised to find the advanced 

 views of this great master in Palaeontology. This work, with its 

 wonderful accuracy in detail, has contributed largely to the elabora- 

 tion of stratigraphical geology by supplying the life-data so necessary 

 for such a task. 



In the year 1855, after two geological tours through Europe, in 

 1853 and 1854, with Sir Eoderick I. Murchison, Professor Morris 

 was induced by that eminent geologist to offer himself as a candidate 

 for the Chair of Geology in University College, to which he was 

 appointed, and which he continued to hold until June, 1877,— a 

 period of 22 years,— when the Eev. T. G. Bonney, M.A., F.R.S., 

 was elected to succeed him. During this time Baron Goldsmid gave 

 a small endowment to this Chair, which thenceforward bore his 

 name. Mr. James Yates, M.A., F.R.S., also took a warm interest 

 in Geology, and bequeathed a handsome sum for the same purpose, 

 to be available after the death of Mrs. Yates, 



But few are aware of the amount of preparation required and 

 mental wear and tear sustained by a scientific man holding the ofiice 

 of Professor. During his occupation of the Chair of Geology 

 Professor Morris delivered over 1100 lectures to his class, besides 

 directing field-excursions and giving demonstrations in the Museum. 



In addition to these lectures he delivered courses of lectures at the 

 Eoyal Agricultural College, Cirencester ; the Natural History Society, 

 Newcastle ; the Yorkshire Philosophical Society ; the Birmingham 

 Natural History Society ; the London Institution ; the Eoyal Institu- 



