Yol. 50.J ANNIVEBSAEI MEETING — WOLLASTON MEDAL. 33 



I feel confident, therefore, that the selection of the Council will be 

 cordially endorsed both by the Fellows of our own Society and 

 by all, whether at home or abroad, who are interested in the 

 brilliant record of one of the foremost palaeontologists of the age. 



Dr. Woodwaed, in reply, said : — 

 Mr. Peesident, — 



I feel sure that no award of the Wollaston Medal made by the 

 Council of this Society has ever been more popular than that made 

 to Geheimrath K. A. von Zittel, and I only regret that his duties 

 as Dean of the Faculty in his University, and his daily lectures, 

 have prevented him from being present to receive the Medal in 

 person. I shall, however, be happy to convey to him your kind 

 expressions of appreciation for his work ; and I beg permission to 

 read to you, from a letter which I have received, the following 

 message addressed to yourself: — 



" With respectful thanks I acknowledge the unexpected honour 

 with which the Council of the Geological Societ} r has favoured me, 

 in awarding to me the Wollaston Medal. I need scarcely say how 

 highly I appreciate this distinction, conferred upon me by the most 

 competent of scientific juries. I am really proud to have reached 

 this highest aim for the ambition of every geologist, and I feel 

 particularly pleased to find among the late and present possessors of 

 the Wollaston Medal the name of H. G. Bronn, my first teacher in 

 palaeontology, and of Franz von Hauer, who directed my first steps 

 in geological field-work. 



" If, through conscientious labour, I have been fortunate enough 

 to contribute somewhat to the promotion of our knowledge of 

 Palaeontology and Geology, I feel by your kindly recognition amply 

 rewarded for all the pains that I may have taken in my scientific 

 researches. 



"I deeply regret that I am unable to thank you personally, 

 Mr. President; but you may be sure- that the honour which you 

 have bestowed upon me will be a strong incentive to make myself 

 more worthy of your confidence by further investigations in the 

 wide field of Palaeontology and Geology." 



