XXU PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



on the Geology of Southern Pembrokeshire, in which I think we 

 may trace the commencement of that system of geological illustra- 

 tion which he has subsequently perfected in the maps of the Ord- 

 nance Geological Survey, and of those views which have been lately 

 confirmed by Mr. Salter. In Foreign Geology, Sir Henry De la 

 Beche has contributed some interesting papers on the Northern and 

 Southern coasts of France, particularly that of Nice. I must also 

 mention his paper on the Geology of Jamaica, published in the 2nd 

 volume of the 2nd series of our Transactions, as containing the first 

 detailed information we have received respecting the geological 

 structure and formations of that island ; and when we consider the 

 difficulties attendant on such explorations, under a tropical climate 

 and in the midst of a tropical vegetation, we cannot estimate too 

 highly the merits of Sir Henry De la Beche. 



At a subsequent period, he added to his claims on our considera- 

 tion by the publication of two admirable works ; ' The Manual of 

 Geology,' and ' Researches in Theoretical Geology.' It is impossible 

 to peruse the lucid development of geological phsenomena contained 

 in these works, and particularly in the Researches in Theoretical 

 Geology, without admiring the bold grasp and comprehensive view of 

 the subject taken by the author ; and, although during the more than 

 twenty years which have elapsed since those works were first pub- 

 lished vast progress has been made in the knowledge of geological 

 detail and the subdivision of formations, by none more than by 

 yourself. Sir Roderick, in your investigation of the older palaeozoic 

 rocks, the general principles contained in that volume have remained 

 unaltered and unshaken. Some indeed appear to be absolutely pro- 

 phetic. Every day's experience confirms and extends the remark 

 that " the supracretaceous group apparently passes so insensibly into 

 the present order of things, still viewing the subject on the large 

 scale, that probably no line of demarcation will ever be drawn between 

 them, particularly when we regard the whole superficies of the world, 

 and not a particular portion of it*." 



But in awarding this Medal to Sir Henry He la Beche, the Council 

 are also desirous of expressing their admiration of what he has done 

 in his public capacity as Director of the Museum of Practical Geo- 

 logy, and Director General of the Geological Survey of the United 

 Kingdom. 



They trust that it will never be forgotten that it is to the zeal and 

 exertions of Sir Henry De la Beche that this country is indebted for 

 the recognition by the Government and by Parliament of the import- 

 ance of establishing in the metropolis both a Museum of Practical 

 Geology and a School of Mines upon an enlarged and liberal scale. 

 Urged by his recommendations chiefly, backed by the support of 

 many other men of science, the Government at length consented, 

 about fifteen years ago, to establish, at first on a moderate scale, a 

 Museum for the purpose of demonstrating the importance of geological 

 studies and of their application to agricultural and other purposes. 

 The admirable paper on the formation of the Rocks of South Wales 

 * Researches, &c. p. 365. 



