34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
him between 1845 and 1873, amounting to 187, his Reports on the 
‘Extinct Vertebrate Fauna of the Western Territories,’ his ‘ Synop- 
sis of the Extinct Mammalia of North America,’ and his ‘ Cretaceous 
Reptiles of the United States,’ testify to the fertility of his pen, 
Professor FLower, in reply, said :— 
Mr. PResripent,— 
As I have profited so deeply by Dr. Leidy’s paleontological 
writings, and also have the pleasure of his personal friendship, I 
was much gratified by his request, communicated to me by telegraph 
afew days ago, that I would represent him on this occasion, and 
receive from your hands the award which the Council has so worthily 
bestowed. By the same means of communication, he mentions the 
interesting incident, that it was by Sir Charles Lyell’s advice, given 
to him in Philadelphia about thirty years ago, that he was induced 
to abandon the study of medicine and take up paleontology. A 
letter which, I understand, Dr. Leidy has writen in which he 
doubtless has expressed his own thanks to you, has not yet reached 
me; but lam quite sure that this recognition of his valuable labours 
in that marveliously fruitful field of discovery, the extinct verte- 
brate fauna of North America, will be greatly appreciated by him, 
and by his fellow-countrymen, by whom he is so justly esteemed. 
[The following is the letter from Dr. Leidy, mentioned by Prof. 
Flower :— 
“ Philadelphia, Pa., 1302 Filbert St, 
“ Reb. 7th, 1884. 
“‘ My Dear Sir, 
“‘T have this minute received your note of Jan. 25th and hasten to 
reply, that there may be no delay in my answer, for the Anniversary 
Meeting of Feb. 15th. I was equally surprised and delighted at the 
action of the Council of the Geological Society in awarding to me 
the Lyell Medal and its accompaniment. Such approbation of my 
services I regard as rich compensation added to the pleasure 
derived from my labours. I must add that I feel as if Sir Charles 
Lyell himself was expressing satisfaction, in consideration of my 
haying complied with his wish, when 30 years ago, in my own home 
here, he said he hoped I would devote my time to Paleontology, 
instead of Medicine. 
«« Please present to the Geological Society my warmest thanks for 
the honour it has conferred upon me. 
‘‘T have written to Prof. W. H. Flower, asking him to receive 
the award on my account. 
‘¢ With sincere regard, 
Mr. Warineton W. SuytH, JosEPH LErpy.” 
For. Sec. Geol. Soc. | 
AWARD OF THE LyEeLL GEoLocicaL Funp. 
In presenting to Prof. C. Lapwortu, F.G.S., the balance of the 
Lyell Geological Fund, the Prusipgnt said :— 
