509 
of Edinburgh, Session 1874-75. 
On warming the solution, brisk action ensues. When this has ter- 
minated, and the nitric acid has been evaporated off on a water 
bath, a strongly acid syrup remains, which fumes like hot sulphuric 
acid. This syrup also forms a soluble barium salt. 
The investigation of the compounds produced by the oxidation 
of dimethyl-thetine and its derivatives is proceeding, and the 
authors trust in a short time to be able to communicate the result 
of their experiments to the Society. 
Monday , 5 tli April 1875. 
Professor KELLAND, Vice-President, in the Chair. 
The Council having awarded the Neill Prize for the 
Triennial Period, 1871-74, to Mr Charles William Peach, 
for his contributions to Scottish Zoology and Geology, and 
for his recent contributions to Fossil Botany, Professor 
Geikie, on the presentation of the medal, addressed the Pre- 
sident as follows : — 
Sir, — The Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh has awarded 
the Neill Prize for the triennial period, 1871-74, to Mr Charles 
William Peach, and on the part of the Council I am requested to 
describe briefly to the Society on the present occasion the nature 
of his scientific work, which has been judged well deserving of one 
of the Society’s medals. By the terms of the original bequest this 
prize is reserved for the work of a Scottish naturalist. Born in 
Northamptonshire, Mr Peach might seem to be excluded from the 
list of those to whom the prize can properly he awarded. But for 
more than a quarter of a century he has lived continuously in Scot- 
land, and during that time has done at least as much as any living 
Scotsman to extend our knowledge of the natural history of his 
adopted country. From the Kyles of Sutherland to the holms of 
Roxburgh, he has never resided in or near any Scottish county 
without adding something to what was previously known about its 
flora and fauna, either living or fossil. The Neill bequest likewise 
provides that the paper or work for which the prize is given shall 
bear date within five years previous to the award. During the last 
five years Mr Peach has contributed some valuable materials to- 
wards the extension of our knowledge of the fossil plants and fishes 
