ANNIVERSARY MEETING — WOLLASTON DONATION FUND. 39 



mark of your approval, I would fain forgot for one moment, if 

 that were possible, how far the work — of which you have spoken in 

 such graceful terms — falls in amount ])clow my hopeful anticipations 

 of the past, how it fails to reach the standard of excellence of my 

 cherished ideals. Any value which that work may bo found to 

 possess is undoubtedly due, in great part, to the fostering care of the 

 Society which to-day so generously crowns my labours. To the 

 Geological Society, in its corporate capacity, I am indebted for the 

 reception and publication of the results of my studies ; to individuals 

 composing that Society I owe more than I can ever express, for 

 kind sympathy, warm encouragement, and friendly aid ; and to 

 both Council and members I shall always be deeply grateful alike 

 for helpful suggestion and discriminating criticism. 



Award of the Wollaston Donation Fund. 



The President then presented the Balance of the "WoUaston 

 Fund to Richard Lydekker, Esq., B.A., F.G.S., saying : — 



Mr. Lydekker, — 



The Council has awarded to you the proceeds of the Wollaston 

 Donation Fund in recognition of the value of your numerous con- 

 tributions to Yertebrate Palaeontology. We trust that you will 

 continue these investigations and that, whether they appear in the 

 publications of this Society or elsewhere, the results, like those 

 which have preceded them, may tend to the steady advancement 

 of our favourite science. 



Mr. Lydekker, in reply, said : — 

 Mr. President, — 



The particular branch of Pala3ontology to which my own studies 

 have been more especially directed is one which, from its nature, is 

 so beset with difficulties that it is very apt to lead to misgivings as 

 to whether any real good results from its pursuit. The assurance 

 conveyed by the honour that the Council of the Society has con- 

 ferred upon me, that such work as I have been able to do is not 

 unappreciated, is therefore very gratifying. 



Although circumstances have rendered it almost imperative that I 



VOL. XLVII. d 



