1846-47 BRITISH ASSOCIATION ' 287 



and splendid results of yourself, Agassiz, and 

 Edward Forbes will form a fine base-line for a 

 geologist who desires to show the solid founda- 

 tions on which his science rests.' 



In a letter dated September 11, 1846, Owen 

 gives his wife an account of the proceedings Ot 

 the British Association : — 



1 Yesterday evening Sir R. Murchison spoke 

 his address. Prince Albert and a brilliant suite, 

 with Lord Palmerston, honoured the meeting with 

 their attendance. There was only room for the 

 Presidents of sections and distinguished foreigners 

 on the platform, where, after the address, the 

 Prince spoke or bowed affably to each of us. . . . 

 Tell Broderip that, viewing the galaxy of stars 

 with which our President was surrounded last night, 

 the Prince on his right, and thanks proposed to 

 him by the Foreign Secretary in a flattering 

 speech, it seemed a veritable apotheosis of 

 Murchison.' 



At this meeting Owen was President of the 

 Zoological Section, and he writes to his wife 

 (September 14) : ' Lyell told me that Herschel 

 was so delighted [with Owen's address] that his 

 expressions and manner were like those of a child, 

 most of the generalisations respecting our old 

 mammalia being quite new .to him. Buckland, 

 Agassiz, Lyell, and Murchison spoke after I had 

 ended. . . . Next morning (Saturday) Sir Philip 



