In 1824 Lyell was interesting himself about Dean Coneabeare’s discovery of a plesiosaurus at Lyme Regis, and the fossil was brought in triumph to the rooms of the Geological Society, then established at 20, Bedford Street. Then he started on a geological excursion in the west of England with M. Prévost, and subsequently went to his birthplace and geologized in Scotland. Lyell was called to the bar in 1825, and went the western circuit for two years, and in 1826 he became a fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1827 he wrote an article in the _Quarterly Review_, showing how thoroughly he identified himself with the school of geology that taught the necessity of studying the past from the modern example of slow and gradual changes on the earth by forces which have always been in existence. In 1828 appeared his papers on the excavation of valleys by ordinary agencies, such as the sun’s heat, frost, rain, running water and the atmosphere. A very remarkable book on the Geology of Central France, with especial reference to the extinct volcanoes and lava flows of the Auvergne, was written by Mr. Scrope, and its criticism was the foundation of the article in the _Quarterly Review_ just noticed. Lyell was so impressed with the grand descriptions in the book, that he determined to persuade Mr. and Mrs. Murchison to accompany him on a tour into the region. Two of Lyell’s letters to his father are so characteristic that they may well find a place here. Clermont-Ferrand. _May 26th, 1828._ MY DEAR FATHER, I have just returned again to Clermont, from an expedition of five days, and we have discovered that there is no end to the work to be done in this country, and that it is of the most interesting description. The first day was spent in ascending some of the lofty volcanic Puys near here. Mrs. Murchison accompanied us, and then returned to Clermont, where she employed herself, during our absence, in making panoramic sketches, receiving several of the gentry and professors, to whom he had letters, in the neighbourhood, and collecting plants and shells, etc., while Murchison and I, with my man, went on in a patache, a one-horse machine on springs. We first visited Pontgibaud and the Sioule, to see the excavations made by that river in the grand lava-current of the Come, which descended from the central range, and dispossessed the river of its bed. The scenery was beautiful. Just as we were leaving the place, the peasants offered to take us to a volcano farther down the river. As no Puy was mentioned in Desmarest’s accurate map, nor by Scrope, we thought their account a mere fable; but their description of the cinders, etc. was so curious, that we had the courage to relinquish our day’s scheme, and proceed again down the river.