Ixii PEOCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICA.L SOCIETY. [May 1 898, 



important papers on the British Carboniferous Dolerites (1874), 

 on the Metamorphic Eocks surrounding the Land's End Granite 

 (1876), on devitrified Pitehstones and Perlites from Shropshire 

 (1877), and on the Diorites from the Warwickshire Coalfield (1879). 

 He became a Pellow of the Geological Society in 1869, was 

 awarded the Proceeds of the Wollaston Fund in 1879, and received 

 the Lyell Medal in 1887. 



' We cannot measure the value of Allport's work by its quantity. 

 His extreme care as an observer, alike in the field and with the 

 microscope, his wide range of knowledge, for he was far more than 

 a petrologist, his strictly inductive habit of mind, give to that work 

 exceptional solidity and permanent value. Though he was com- 

 pelled to feel his way, as a man in an unknown forest, he was one 

 of the safest of guides. To such a patient, accurate observer, and 

 sound, cautious reasoner, flashy hypothesis presented no charms, 

 and Samuel AUport did much to liberate petrology from such errors 

 as making geological age a factor of importance in the classification 

 of igneous rocks. Amiable, courteous, and openhanded, he was 

 beloved by those who had the good fortune to know him. 

 Absolutely free from all petty jealousies, he was the most generous 

 of helpers to all younger men who were attracted to his favourite 

 study. Whatever he knew was at the service of others, and no 

 man owes him a deeper debt of gratitude than the writer of this 

 tribute to his memory. — T. G. B.' 



Samuel Latng, late Chairman of the London Brighton, and 

 South Coast Railway Company, was elected a Fellow of this Society 

 in 1858. Mr. Laing's career was distinguished and varied. He 

 was a great authority on railways, and was at one time Financial 

 Secretary to the Treasury and subsequently Financial Minister in 

 India ; and he enjoyed considerable popularity as a writer of books 

 of a semi-scientific character. He was the son of Mr. Samuel 

 Laing, of Papdale, Orkney, and was born in Edinburgh in 1810. 

 In 1832 he took his B.A. degree at Cambridge, being second 

 Wrangler and second Smith's Prizeman. Mr. Laing became a 

 Fellow of St. John's College and was called to the Bar in 

 1840. Shortly afterwards he was appointed private secretary to 

 Mr. Labouchere, who afterwards became Lord Taunton, then 

 President of the Board of Trade, Upon the formation of the 

 Ptailway Department he was made its secretary, and. distinguished 

 himself in railway legislation under successive presidencies of the 

 Board of Trade. It was to his suggestions that the public was 



