XXU PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 



first rising into notice. We cannot but dwell with deep interest on 

 these early recognitions of the value and interest of our science. Nor 

 is the debt which Geology owes to Dr. Kidd to be estimated merely 

 by these voluntary efforts in her favour ; for he made the importance 

 of such lectures so apparent, that they were afterwards established by 

 grants from the Crown, and in the hands of Dr. Buckland, who was 

 appointed to them in 1813, became so justly celebrated. At this 

 period Dr* Kidd contributed to the progress of the different subjects 

 on which he lectured, by various original papers and elementary 

 treatises. He exhibited also the influence of that kindly social feel- 

 ing which, in a teacher of youth, may sometimes become, in its in- 

 direct influence, scarcely of less importance than the instruction which 

 he may directly communicate. He made a point of inviting to his 

 table, and introducing to each other, those who were likely to become 

 fellow-labourers in the fields of science. The friend to whom I am 

 chiefly indebted for these particulars was a frequent guest of Dr. Kidd's 

 at these social parties, and speaks of them with affectionate remem- 

 brance ; and we cannot ourselves hear of them without a feeling of 

 interest, when we learn that it was on such occasions that the names 

 of Buckland and Conybeare first became associated both in private 

 and geological intercourse. Dr. Kidd also, in the same social and 

 liberal spirit, was chiefly instrumental in encouraging visits of the 

 leading savants from London and elsewhere, every Whitsuntide, to 

 Oxford, and of thus promoting their intercourse with the resident 

 members of that University. 



In 1822 Dr. Kidd became Regius Professor of Medicine. In this 

 capacity he gave remarkably interesting lectures, especially in the 

 department of comparative anatomy. He was particularly happy 

 also in applying the results of his classical studies to the purposes of 

 modern science, and was the first to call attention to the merits of 

 Aristotle's zoological arrangements, and to point out their close agree- 

 ment with the classification of Cuvier. 



The Rev. William Kirby was born in the year 1759, at Wit- 

 nesham Hall, in the county of Suffolk, the residence of his father, 

 who was by profession a soHcitor. He received his education at the 

 Grammar School at Ipswich, and afterwards entered the University 

 of Cambridge, at Caius College, where he took his degree of B.A. iia 

 1781. The year following the Rev. Nicholas Bacon nominated him 

 to the joint curacies of Barham and Coddenham, and afterwards 

 proved the high estimation in which he held him by bequeathing to 

 him the next presentation to the rectory of Barham,'^to which he was 

 inducted in 1 796. He resided there till his death. 



Mr. Kirby affords a striking instance of the manner in which the 

 strongest aptitude of our minds may remain dormant and unknown 

 even to ourselves, till awakened by some accidental and perhaps tri- 

 fling circumstance. His first attention was drawn to Entomology, as 

 he has himself related, by his observing on his window a yellow cow- 

 lady, his admiration of which led him to collect other insects, and 

 finally to prosecute the study of that branch of natural history till he 



