XXVI PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



this award of the "WoUaston Medal, I feel to be one of the most gra- 

 tifying compliments that could have been paid me by any body of 

 scientific men ; and in making this acknowledgement of the honour I 

 have received, I would also state that I shall not regard this Medal 

 merely as the reward of past labom'S, but shall also consider it (as 

 such rewards ought, I conceive, to be considered) a powerful incite- 

 ment to futm'e exertion. Before I conclude, Mr. President, let me 

 offer to yourself my best thanks for the manner in which you have 

 spoken on this occasion of my geological researches, and for the clear 

 and accurate outline which you have given of them. 



The President then addressed Mr. Morris as follows : — 

 Mr. Morris, — The Council have this year awarded to you the 

 balance of the proceeds of the Wollaston Fund, to assist you in the 

 pubhcation of the new edition of your * Catalogue of British Fossils.' 

 It is now seven years since the Council took an opportunity of pay- 

 ing you a similar compHment, to aid you in preparing your first edi- 

 tion of the same excellent work. They were then aware that your 

 Hst of organic remains was not simply a compilation from other 

 authors, but that you had devoted much time and thought to the 

 examination of original specimens, and the comparison and identifica- 

 tion of species. We now learn with pleasure that you expect to add 

 nearly 1000 species to those previously enumerated as British fossils, 

 and we hope that this award, however small a contribution towards 

 the pecuniary outlay you have incurred, may act as an encourage- 

 ment, by proving to you how highly this Society appreciates your 

 semces in the cause of palaeontology. 



Mr. Morris said, in reply, — 



Sir, — I cannot but feel gratified at the compliment you have just 

 paid me. Fully aware of the imperfect character of my ' Catalogue 

 of Fossils,' I have endeavoured, as far as time would allow me, to 

 improve the same, and in this respect have received the cordial assist- 

 ance of many members of this Society. Besides which, the active 

 labours of the Geological Survey, and the pubhcations of the Palse- 

 ontographical Society, have materially increased our knowledge of 

 the extent and distribution of British fossils. I have thus been en- 

 abled to collect and examine many new facts, and the award that I 

 have this day been honoured with will stimulate me to continue my 

 researches. But I appreciate it still more, not only as an evidence 

 of the kind interest with which the Council have viewed my past 

 labours, but more especially as coming from yourself, Sir, whose 



