Vol. 60.] ANNIVERSARY MEETING MURCUISON MEDAL. xliii 



in recognition of the importance of your contributions to our know- 

 ledge of the Carboniferous and other rocks of the Xorth of England. 

 For thirty years you have been engaged in these researches, which 

 have resulted in more accurate determinations of the stratigraphy 

 of the Carboniferous System of Northumberland, and more satisfac- 

 tory correlations of the various divisions of that system throughout 

 the northern counties. In conjunction with Mr. Topley you 

 brought forward convincing evidence that the famous "Whin Sill 

 is an intrusive sheet, and not, as some observers had supposed, an 

 intercalated lava. Your papers on the salt-measures and on the 

 Marl-Slate and Yellow Sands of your district have likewise added to 

 our knowledge of these formations. This original work, however, has 

 for many years been carried on in the intervals of a life primarily 

 devoted to the teaching of geology, and we wish to mark our sense 

 of the value of your educational labours as a Professor in the 

 University of Durham. As one who in former days served under 

 Murchison, you will doubtless value this medal as another link con- 

 necting you with that great master of our science. I may perhaps 

 be permitted to add an expression of my own gratification that, 

 looking back on my early association with you as a colleague in the 

 Geological Survey, it has fallen to me to hand you to-day this mark 

 of appreciation from the Council of the Geological Society. 



Prof. Lebour replied as follows : — 

 Sir Archibald Geikie, — 



My feelings on this occasion are divided between regret at the 

 absence of my old friend, Prof. Lapworth, and gratification at 

 receiving the Medal which commemorates my first Chief, Sir 

 Roderick Murchison, from the hand of one who was his favourite 

 colleague, his successor, and his biographer. An Award such 

 as this is of the greatest value to a teacher : it confirms his 

 pupils in the trust which they place in him, and at the same 

 time gives him confidence in carrying on his own work. In my 

 case, I will not be so presumptuous as to question the propriety of 

 the Council's decision, however it may have surprised me. I am 

 especially pleased that in the too kind words that you have uttered, 

 the name of my dear friend and colleague of long ago, "William 

 Topley, has once more been coupled with mine. I am sure that no 

 one would have rejoiced more than he at my good fortune this day. 



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