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SIR R. MURCHISON AS KING OF SILURIA. Dec., 1891. 
SIR RODERICK MURCHISON AS KING OF SILURIA. 
Mr. Rabone wishes us to make a correction in the report 
of the meeting of the Midland Union of Natural History 
Societies at Dudley, in last month’s “Midland Naturalist.” 
The report states that in 1889 the Bishop of Oxford crowned 
Sir Roderick Murchison King of Siluria in the great cavern 
of Dudley Castle Hill. Much misapprehension, Mr. Rabone 
says, now exists about this matter. A newspaper corre¬ 
spondent, in commenting lately upon the circumstance, 
asked what kind of a crown was used, of what material was 
it composed, and whether any other regalia were used in the 
ceremony. The facts were simply these :—At the meeting of 
the British Association in 1849, Dudley was visited, and Sir 
Roderick Murchison, in the great cavern of the Castle Hill, 
briefly explained the system of geological strata to which 
he had given the name of “ Silurian,” extending over 
the Alps, over the Ural Mountains, and, indeed, over the 
whole Continent of Europe. Afterwards, on adjourning to 
the Wren’s Nest, Sir Roderick further discoursed on the 
same subject; and, in proposing a vote of thanks to him, the 
Bishop of Oxford said that although Caractacus was an old 
king of part of the Silurian region, yet Sir Roderick had 
extended the Silurian domain almost inimitably, and it was 
only just and proper that there, upon a Silurian rock, 
he should be acknowledged the modern king of Siluria. 
The Bishop, then taking a gigantic speaking-trumpet, 
which he had brought with him, called upon all present to 
repeat after him the words which are given below. He then 
spoke through the trumpet, giving one word at a time, to 
enable those present to repeat it all together— 
Hail—King—of—Siluria. 
Then after a pause— 
Hail—King—of—Siluria. 
And again— 
Hail—King—of—Siluria. 
The vast assembly thrice responded with stentorian 
voices and most hearty hurrahs, and ever afterwards Sir 
Roderick was proud to be acknowledged “ King of Siluria.” 
These are the simple facts. In 1889 Dr. Wilberforce was 
not Bishop of Oxford, nor had Sir Roderick then achieved 
his full fame for his discoveries. 25,000 persons visited the 
Dudley Caverns on that day in 1849, though they were not 
all present at the time the Bishop’s call of acknowledgement 
was made. 
