XVIU PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



field of geology. It is true that I entered upon this field as a student 

 and for relaxation, but the interest and difficulties of the subject 

 speedily induced me to take it up with more earnestness and deter- 

 mination, and eventually led me to extend the inquiry over an area 

 which I, at first, never contemplated. 



The tertiary geology of the neighbourhood of London may be 

 wanting in beauty of stratigraphical exhibition and in perfect preser- 

 vation of organic types, but in many of the higher questions of pure 

 geology, — in clear evidence of remarkable physical changes, — in 

 curious and diversified palseontological data, however defaced the 

 inscriptions, which is after all but a secondary point, few departments 

 of geology oifer, I think, greater attractions. 



The pleasure I have derived from the study of the remarkable 

 phsenomena which have come before me in the course of the investi- 

 gation, has far outbalanced the few obstacles I have had to contend 

 against. I, in fact, feel deeply indebted to geology, as a source of 

 healthful recreation, as an inestimable relief and abstraction in due 

 season from the cares frequently attendant upon the active duties of 

 life, for its kindly and valued associations, and above all for the high 

 communing into which it constantly brings us in the contemplation 

 of some of the most beautiful and wonderful works of the creation. 



The President then addressed Mr. Bunbury : — 



Mr. Bunbury, — This Society having a second time availed itself 

 of an opportunity of assisting in the publication of the ' Paleontologie 

 Fran^aise,' by awarding the unappropriated balance of the Wollaston 

 Fund for the last year to M. Alcide d'Orbigny, pray express to him 

 the high value we attach to his labours, and the interest we feel in 

 the continuation of his 'Paleontologie Fran9aise,' — a work of so much 

 importance to the progress of European geology. 



Mr. Bunbury replied : — 



Sir, — I will take care that this donation shall be transmitted to 

 the gentleman for whom it is designed ; and I am happy to be the 

 medium of expressing to M. d'Orbigny the sense entertained by this 

 Society of the great services which he has rendered to geological 

 science, especially by the publication of his ' Paleontologie Fran^aise.' 



The President then turning to Mr. Hamilton spoke as follows : — 



Mr. Hamilton, — In transmitting to Mr. Lonsdale the proceeds 

 of the Wollaston Donation Fund for this year, awarded to him in aid 

 of his work on Fossil Corals, may we request you to assure him of 

 the great satisfaction we experience in finding that the state of his 

 health permits him to follow up investigations of so much importance 

 to our science, and which at the same time add so justly to that re- 

 putation which he has acquired in this branch of knowledge ? How- 

 ever small our aid may be, we trust that it will be received as a mark 

 of the continued value our body attaches to the labours of one to 

 whom while an officer of this Society it stood so much indebted for 

 his great and indefatigable exertions. 



Mr. Hamilton said in reply, — 



Mr. President, — I shall lose no time in forwarding to Mr. 



