L BULLETIN NO. 23, UNITED STAGES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



avow his belief, certainly will not quite so roundlj^ object, that all those who have 

 described the remains of reptiles from the Coal Measures have been mistaken. I felt 

 somewhat personally interested in the position which he assumed, as I had in connection 

 ■with Professor Owen described some reptile remains taken by Sir Charles Lyell from 

 the interior of the hollow coal-tree, but which Agassiz claimed as fishes. As regards 

 the Sauropus and those foot-prints now before me, they give him no chance for a retreat, 

 but only an unconditional surrender. In his lectures and scientific communications 

 to the American Academy he has made allusions to the coal reptiles, but I am not 

 aware that he has made any special reference to your labors ; but he has included all 

 •of us in one category of mistaken naturalists. I am not aware that anything has 

 been published by him bearing upon the subject. Since I have examined your ad- 

 mirable plate I am more surprised than ever at the opinion he expressed with regard 

 to the nature of the prints. 



I am very much obliged to you for your kind offer to send me a copy of your memoir. 

 I should certainly prize it very highly. » » * 



With great respect, truly yours, 



JEFFEIES WYMAN. 



Cambridge, Mass., July 6,1855. 



* * * Please accept my sincere thanks for the scientific memoirs which you had 

 the kindness to send me, and which have this day come to hand through our mutual 

 friend. Dr. Warren. 



I believe the plate of the tracks of Saurojius is wholly unsurpassed in the annals of 



paleontolog,y, and the scientific world is certainly very much indebted to you for the 



results of your labors. * * » 



Believe me, truly yours, 



JEFFEIES WYMAN. 



Cambridge, Mass., November 26, 1855. 



* * * Our friend Professor Agassiz has just been lecturing on the animals of the 

 Coal formation, and now admits that rejitiles did exist then, but were of a very low 

 kind of reptiles. This eases the matter off a little, but my belief is that he will bo 

 obliged to go deeper and admit more than he is willing to do now. * « * 



With great respect, truly yours, 



JEFFRIES WYMAN. 



Cambridge, Mass., March 9, 1858. 



Your favor of the 27th ultimo came duly to hand, as well as the copy of your new 

 contribution to the natural history of the genus Unio, for which I beg you would 

 accept my sincere thanks. I am afraid I shall not be able to visit Philadelphia at 

 jjresent, as my duties in college seem to require that they should not be interrupted 

 until another vacation. 



We have just entered our new building, which was in the process of erection when 

 we had the pleasure of a visit from you last summer. The first exercise took place 

 in it yesterday. My anatomical collection is finely accommodated, and with our mas- 

 todon for a center-piece the hall looks quite imposing. 



I send herewith a copy of the description of the Batrachian fossils from the Coal 

 of Ohio. I think that the accumulated evidence of reptilian life which existed .at 

 the Coal period is such that no question will be raised hereafter, unless it be with re- 

 gard to the kind of reptiles. Agassiz admits that Batrachians existed; he is disposed 

 to put them in a class by themselves, and thus occupying a place next to fishes, in- 

 stead of forming an order, as in the Cuvieriau system. 



I hope I shall be able to visit Philadelphia at no very distant period, there is so 

 much there that I should be glad to look over, and so many good friends to visit. 

 Please make my kind regards to Dr. Leidy and to Dr. and Mrs. McClellau when you 

 see them. 



Sincerely vours, 



J. WYMAN. 



