tlie Microscopical Society. 
85 
Soon after the death of Dr. Gideon Mantell a brief memoir 
of him appeared in the Athenaeum, from which I shall extract 
a few particulars. Although a member of the medical pro- 
fession, he was not a graduate in medicine, but derived his 
title from the degree of LL.D. conferred by a foreign uni- 
versity. He commenced his career as a general practitioner 
at Lewes ; removed to Brighton in 1835, and to London in 
1839, residing first at Clapham, and afterwards in Chester- 
square. He was naturally an enthusiast, and, gifted with 
quick observation, he would have distinguished himself in 
almost any branch of science. 1 he accident of his position 
made him a geologist ; for little was then known of the 
Wealden formation, or of the fossils which it contained. Sel- 
dom has an observer had a richer field for the exercise of his 
powers, and seldom has an opportunity been better seized. In 
the course of a few years he collected together a museum of 
specimens from the Wealden and the chalk which now forms 
a portion of the British Museum, the trustees of that institu- , 
tion having purchased it for 5000/. His first paper, published 
in 1813, was on the organic remains discovered in the en- 
virons of Lewes ; and from that period almost to the time of 
his death his literary labours were unceasing ; for on the sub- 
jects of Zoology and Botany no less than sixty-seven papers 
and works have been enumerated. When it is remembered 
that during all this time he was pursuing the active practice 
of his profession, contributing papers to the medical journals, 
and occasionally writing on other subjects, we may form some 
idea of his indefatigable industry. 
Dr. Mantell had also the satisfaction of making known the 
important discovery, by his son, of the remains of the gigantic 
birds of New Zealand, of which he possessed many very fine 
specimens, and on which he wrote several papers. 
Of his talents as a popular lecturer I can speak from my own 
observation. Possessed of a rapid and even flow of appro- 
priate language, sometimes rising into eloquence, and being 
enthusiastically fond of his subject, he managed to inoculate 
his audience with the same enthusiasm, and therefore had no 
difficulty in keeping up their attention even when he tres- 
passed considerably beyond the accustomed hour. He was an 
occasional but not frequent attendant at our meetings. 
Permit me. Gentlemen, in conclusion to thank you for the 
kind indulgence with which you have received my very im- 
perfect endeavours to fulfil the duties of your President. Of 
their imperfection no one can be more sensible than myself ; 
but at the same time no one can more sincerely desire the con- 
tinued prosperity of the Society, or strive more to promote it. 
