7 
Prof. Nicholson’s various researches upon the Paleozoic Palxontology 
of Britain and the Northern part of the American Continent have 
thrown much light upon many points in connexion with the lower 
forms of animal life as presented to us in the fossil state. The 
Graptolites, those peculiar structures so abundant in some of the 
Silurian rocks, and many of the obscure forms of Corals and other 
lowly organisms which constitute the great difficulties of students 
of the paleontology of the earliest fossiliferous rocks, have in a 
special manner attracted Prof. Nicholson’s attention, and constitute 
the subjects of numerous memoirs which have appeared in various 
journals. Of independent works, 1 may mention his ‘ Monograph 
of the British Graptolites’ (of which, unfortunately, only the first 
part has appeared) and his ‘ Paleontology of Ontario,’ the latter 
published in 1875. In conjunction with Mr. R. Etheridge, Jun., he 
has commenced the publication of a ‘Monograph of the Silurian 
Fossils of the Girvan District,’ which contains some exceedingly 
valuable paleontological results, and promises to be of much 
interest. Besides these publications, Prof. Nicholson has done 
much for the advancement of his favourite science by the production 
of several useful manuals and popular treatises on paleontology. 
Prof. Jupp, in reply, said that he had much pleasure in receiving 
this award on behalf of Prof. Nicholson, from whom he read the 
following extract of a letter :— 
“Tt is with much regret that I find myself precluded by un- 
avoidable previous engagements from expressing in person my very 
grateful sense of the honour conferred upon me by the Council of 
the Geological Society in the disposition which they purpose to make 
of the Lyell Fund. ‘It is hardly necessary for me to say in so many 
words that I feel the honourable distinction which I have received 
to be meant rather as a stimulus to future exertion in the cause 
of paleontological science than as a mark of recognition for any 
thing that I may have been able to achieve in the past. I can only 
beg to assure the President and the Council of the Society that I 
loyally accept this interpretation of their kindness and goodwill, and 
that I shall not fail to do what may be in my power to prove 
myself more than merely theoretically grateful for an honour which 
J did not expect, and which I appreciate highly as a mark of friendly 
recognition on the part of the President and the Council.” 
The Presrpent then presented to Dr. Hunry Woopwarp, F.R.S., 
F.G.S., one moiety of the balance of the proceeds of the Lyell Fund, 
and addressed him in the following words :— 
Dr. WoopwaRrp,— 
In awarding to you a portion of the proceeds of the Lyell Geolo- 
gical Fund, the Council of the Geological Society have commissioned 
