xlii PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY'. [May I9O4, 



Mr. Teall, in reply, read the following translation of a letter 

 which had been forwarded by the recipient : — 



' I much regret that my duties here make it impossible for me to be present at 

 your Annual Meeting, and that I am therefore unable in person to express my thanks 

 for the honour which you are conferring upon me. 



' It may perhaps interest you to know the circumstances which led me to turn 

 my attention to Geolog3 r . When, at the age of nine years, I visited the Alps for the 

 first time, in company with 1113' father, the mountains appealed to my youthful 

 imagination, and I then conceived the idea of representing them not only on paper 

 but also in relief. I accordingly attempted to model them in clay, working at first 

 directly from nature, and afterwards by the aid of the topographic maps which were 

 then appearing. I soon found that one can only represent correctly that which one 

 understands, and I was thus led to study the internal structure as well as the 

 external form of the mountains. 



' At the age of sixteen years I had prepared a model of the Todi group on a scale 

 of 1 : 25,000. Arnold Escher von der Linth heard of this model, and came to see 

 it at my own home. This was the first time that I saw that illustrious man. He 

 invited me to accompanj' him on a geological excursion, and from that time onward 

 I looked up to him as my revered master. Thus the pleasure which I derived from my 

 early visits to the mountains and my desire to represent them in relief led me naturally 

 to the study of Geology. 



' In receiving this high honour at your hands, I remember with heartfelt gratitude 

 the instruction and encouragement that I have derived from a study of the 

 literature and geology, and especially from personal intercourse with the fellow- 

 workers, of the great nations which lie beyond my own small fatherland. Among 

 these I reckon the British Empire as especial^ deserving of my gratitude. More 

 than 35 years ago I derived inspiration as a student from a study of the works of 

 Sir Charles Lyell, and since that time have continued to hold intercourse with 

 British geologists — many of them Fellows of your Society — and to study their 

 writings and collections. 



' I am conscious that my work is very imperfect, and that in it error is mixed 

 with truth. My life is unfortunately so overburdened with official and private 

 duties that I have but little time for original research ; yet I am filled with an 

 earnest desire to do more, for I recognize that in such research is to be found the 

 greatest happiness that human life can afford. 



' It seems to me that the work which I have accomplished does not entitle me to 

 this honour. I prefer rather to regard it as the recognition of a sincere effort to 

 extend our knowledge, and I can assure you that, so far as in me lies, the remainder 

 of my life shall be devoted to this object. You have given me a fresh stimulus — 



new encouragement. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.' 



Award of the Murchison Medal. 



The Chairman then presented the Murchison Medal to Prof. George 

 Alexander Louis Lebottr, M.A., M.Sc, addressing him in the 

 following words : — 



Prof. Lebotjr, — 

 The Council have this year awarded to you the Murchison Medal, 



