Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London - University Library

LINNEA.M SOCIETY OF LONDON. 3
and then turning in 1879 to his studies on Angiosperms and
Gymnosperms, followed since by many later papers, we have
a truly remarkable series of works on the scientific anatomy and
morphology of the higher plants. His important contributions to
physiology, such as those dealing with the ascent of water in trees
in 1891, only require mention ; he has been an embryologist as
well as an anatomist, and he has even touched on palteobotany.
It is, however, as a cytologist that Strasburger has probably won
the greatest distinction, as in this subject he is, on the botanical
side at least, facile princeps. His remarkable series of histological
memoirs from 1876 onwards, form the foundation and a very
large pai't of the superstructure of modern cytology. In close
connection with his cytological work on the nucleus and pi'otoplasm
is his investigation of fertilization in plants, where he made
the fundamental discovery of the great importance of the fusion
of the male and female nuclei. There is no need to say more.
His influence on science has been wide-reaching, and his fame is
great. Naturally he has received many distinctions both in his
own country and here, where we know him as a Foreign Member of
the lioyal Society (1801) and of our own (1880), and as an
Honorary Doctor of Civil Law of Oxford. We in the Linuean
Society ofi"er him, through you, our homage, and trust that he may
value, as a testimony of our high appreciation, this latest honour,
the award of the Linuean Gold Medal.
'• Sir Dietrich Brandis, I have great pleasure in asking you, his
countryman, and yourself a distinguished botanist, to transmit this
medal to Professor Strasburger.'
Sir Dietrich Brandis having received the Medal, made a brief
verbal acknowledgment on behalf of the recipient. The following
letters refer to the award.
Bonn, 12th May, 1905.
Dear Sir,
I have received the news that the Council of the Linnean
Society of Loudon has conferred upon me the Gold Medal. The
honour thus bestowed upon me by this illustrious Society fills me
with pride. I thank the members most sincerely for this honour
as well as for the scientific help and encouragement I have on
many occasions received from my English colleagues. It was
above all the immortal Charles Darwin, of whom your nation may
well be proud, who in my youth filL^d me with enthusiasm for
scientific researches, and turned my studies in the direction I have
since followed.
Most unfortunately my duties detain me here to such an extent
that it is impossible for me to be in London on May the 24th, and
receive the Gold Medal personally. Sir Dietrich Brandis, my
honoured friend, has kindly offered to do so in my stead.
I am. Dear Sir,
To the General Secretary, Yours sincerely,
of the Linnean Society of London, (Signed) E. StkaSBURGEE.
B. Daydon Jackson, Esq.
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