Synopsis:
Excerpt from The Ventriculidae of the Chalk: Their Microscopic Structure, Affinities and Classification; Including Figures and Descriptions of Every Species
I doubt not that when the first priest of old nailed to the column's head, after the solemn sacrifice was done, the scalp which he had torn off the devoted ram, he thought he knew very well what a ram's head was, and would have pitied any unhappy Wight who might have suggested any resemblance between the head and the tail of the beast which had just smoked upon the altar. It has been reserved for modern science not only to sug gest but to demonstrate, by one of the most beautiful, most logical, most philosophical, and at the same time most scienti fically important trains of investigation that has been ever fol lowed up, that between these so incongruous parts there are clear and positive homologies, and that no one can truly know either part who does not study those homologies. It has been by treading, though at an humble distance, and, I am fully con scious, with a too faltering step, in the path by which those im portant truths have been obtained that I have arrived at what Dr. Mantell thinks fit to term sublime transcendentalisms but which, to my mind, constitute, in every branch of science, the main charm, and the most important end, of the pursuit.
In conclusion I may be allowed to say, that it is of little im portance to the world what may be Dr. Mantell's opinion or my own on the present matte'r but it is of importance whether, in pursuing the subject, any fragment of truth has been got at. I had hoped Dr. Mantell would have discussed my facts and argu ments, and not replied to my conclusions. I hepe that he will do so yet. It is only by full discussion, close examination, and careful consideration that the truth or falsity of my conclu sions can be tested. Such discussion, examination and censi deration I shall be ready and most glad to meet from any one in a fair and cordial spirit. But all hope of truth and all scientific investigation is at an end, if it is to be considered as a reply to a long and most carefully conducted train of investigation that, some years before, one or two of the objects whose natural history and relations are thus elucidated had been described in quite a differ ent way and that, therefore, - for that is Dr. Mantell's only ar gument, - the more recent investigations must be all wrong. I am glad to say that my collection has been already visited by several of the most eminent palaeontologists and anatomists of this country and I know that some of these, who have the most carefully examined the series, are satisfied of the truth of my conclusions. Of the opinion of others I have perhaps no certain information at present; but I will only add, that, to these or anyothers really wishing to compare the facts or to examine into the nature of this most beautiful and interesting class of fossils, the contents of my cabinet will, after August of the present year, be at all times most freely Open for inspection.
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