XXVI PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the subject was the 'Manuel d'Actinologie ' of M. De Blainville, 

 pubUshed thirty-two years ago, and so httle known in this country, 

 that the copy in the British Museum remained uncut till he had oc- 

 casion to refer to it. An elementary work was now wanted for the 

 use of students, and its adoption would be much facilitated if it ob- 

 tained the sanction of the Geological Society. 



THE ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. 



Gentlemen, — It is now my duty, whilst delivering that annual 

 address which you require from your President, to recall to your 

 recollection those ]\Iembers of our Society who, removed by death 

 from amongst us during the past year, are deserving of especial 

 notice, as having by their mental labour advanced the great cause of 

 intellectual progress and acquired a high position in the estimation 

 of men of science. In attempting to perform this painful task to 

 my own satisfaction, I feel that I am obliged to review the history 

 of our science for the last fifty years, as the first name on the melan- 

 choly list of illustrious men who have passed away from the hails of 

 science is that of one of a band of intellectual giants who early in the 

 present century seemed formed especially for the great work of laying 

 the foundations of a new science ; whilst the second is that of our 

 late President, who was, as it were, the personification of a new school 

 of men of vigorous minds, who, taking their stand on the foundation 

 laid by their predecessors, are fitted, by their accurate knowledge 

 and by their penetrating and liberal spirit, to complete the structure 

 by enlarging its basis and filling up its details. By the death of Dr. 

 Buckland, that early school of eminent men has been again reduced 

 in number ; but happy must we all feel that several of its most able 

 members are still amongst us ; men — it is unnecessary to mention 

 names — who exhibit in the most striking manner a transition cha- 

 racter, by uniting the excellences of both schools ; and who, by pos- 

 sessing a freshness of thought and a boldness of conception which 

 seem to defy the hand of Time, still nifiintain their ancient and un- 

 disputed post of leaders of our Society. 



In attempting to detail the works of such men I cannot free my- 

 self from anxiety, as I fear some will condemn me for not passing 

 over unnoticed their defects in judgment, and exhibiting them as 

 men who have never mistaken the path of error for that of truth ; 

 but surely it is more profitable to look even at the greatest men as 

 too often erring mortals, and, by tracing their mental changes, to draw 

 a wholesome caution against th« hasty condemnation of the opinions 

 of others or the too prejudiced maintenance of our own. The greatest 

 merit is not to be ascribed to men who have never altered their opi- 

 nions under the light and influence of more matured knowledge ; 

 but rather to those who have frankly acknowledged their original 

 errors and assiduously endeavoured to advocate the truth, however 

 opposed it ma}^ have been to their first opinions ; and in this light no 

 man deserves our respect and admiration more than Dr. Buckland. 



