﻿Xlii PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [vol. lxxii. 



himself to an exhaustive and successful study of the external 

 characters of the plant-remains associated with the various coal- 

 seams ; and in this manner he has acquired an unrivalled knowledge 

 of the distribution of the Carboniferous flora, which has proved of 

 fundamental importance both to the geologist and to the practical 

 miner. I may mention, as examples of this work, his classic 

 memoirs on the fossil plants of the Yorkshire and Staffordshire 

 Coalfields and of Belgian Hainaut. During more recent } r ears he 

 has also extended his researches to various facts of structure and 

 morphology which have a direct bearing on evolutionary problems. 

 His memoir on the fructification of Neuropteris JieteropJiylla was 

 the first description of the seed of a Pteridosperm in direct continuity 

 with the frond ; while his account of the microsporangia of the 

 Pteridosperms first demonstrated the nature of the male organs in 

 plants of this transitional group. His description of the internal 

 structure of Sigillaria, and his remarkable series of memoirs, 

 with the late Prof. Grwynne-Vaughan, on the evolution of the 

 Osmundacese, must also be specially mentioned. 



While pursuing his researches he has continually recognized the 

 importance of careful field-work, and has thus made a large and 

 valuable collection of specimens, which has always been placed 

 freely at the disposal of his felloAv-palaeobotanists. In transmitting 

 this medal, please express our hope that he will treasure it not only 

 as a token of our admiration, but also of our gratitude. 



Dr. Kitchin replied in the following words : — 



Mr. President, — 



It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to be here to-day as 

 Dr. Kidston's representative, to accept on his behalf this valued 

 award and to convey to you his thanks for the honour conferred 

 on him by the Council of this Society. And I desire to thank 

 you, Sir, in his name, for the kind words with which you have 

 accompanied this presentation. 



It is gratifying to be the transmitter of the Murchison Medal to 

 one who, a Scotsman himself, has laboured so long and so assiduously 

 in elucidating the stratigraphies! bearings of the Carboniferous 

 Flora. Dr. Kidston, I feel sure, would have received this medal 

 with enhanced pleasure, could he have listened to your graceful 

 and appreciative references to his work. He asks me to express to 

 you his great regret that he is unable to be here in person ; and 



