part 1] ANlSriYERSAET MEETING MUECHISOJST MEDAL. XXxix 



former Wollaston Medallists left me with a lively sense of my 

 own unworthiness, this feeling has at least been tempered b}^ the 

 kind congratulations of friends, and now by the graceful words 

 with which you have accompanied the presentation. 



The occasion is one which invites retrospect, and the personal 

 note will perhaps be pardonable. Looking back, I acknowledge 

 that the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. I should be 

 ungrateful were I to forget the constant support extended to me 

 by my College, or the debt which I owe to Prof. Hughes, who 

 first turned my steps into the paths of Greology. Gratefully too, 

 I recall the encouras^ement which I have received from this 

 Society, and from the comradeship of colleagues at Cambridge and 

 many friends in London and Edinburgh. Much of my active life 

 has been passed in teaching. If such occupation limits in some 

 measure the time that can be given to private work, it still 

 brings notable compensations. It is good, I think, to be brought 

 back often to first principles, and to be braced by contact with 

 younger and more ardent minds. You, Sir, have emphasized the 

 value of field-work in conjunction with laboratory research. It 

 was by the good offices of Sir Archibald Geikie that I have been 

 enabled to enjoy this advantage also, and to acquire some experience 

 of systematic mapping amid the delightful scenes of the West 

 Highlands. 



I wish I could believe that all these favours of fortune have 

 been turned to the best account in the service of Geology, but I 

 am. conscious of many shortcomings. There remains the hope that 

 some years of activity may still be left for me to justify, if I can, 

 the honour now bestowed upon me. 



AWAED OF THE MUECHISOIS^ MeDAL. 



The PEESiDEisfT then presented the Murchison Medal to Dr. 

 JoHisr William Eyafs, E.R.S,, addressing him as follows : — 



Dr. Etans, — 



Taking up the study of geology, originally from pure love of the 

 subject, you have had an extensive, varied, and fruitful experience. 

 In Western and Southern India and in South America you have 

 conducted and controlled important geological investigations. 



