324 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



tions throughout the country, while its enmity will prove doubly disad- 

 vantageous in consequence of the high esteem in which it is deservedly 

 held abroad. Thus far the history of the Davenport Academy has 

 been one of successes. It has encountered obstacles, but these have 

 been successfully surmounted ; and it has made for itself a reputation 

 for energy, industry, and thoroughly scientific merit — such a reputa- 

 tion as is not easily tarnished. I am therefore sorry that it was not 

 deemed best by the members of the Academy to either ignore the mis- 

 takes and supposed personal thrusts contained in the Second Ethno- 

 logic Annual, or, at most, to respond to them through the columns of 

 some scientific journal in a judicial, dispassionate rejoinder of a page 

 or two. 



Please understand that in thus expressing my feehngs I express the 

 sentiments of a firm friend of the Academy and a citizen of the State. 

 IMy feelings are also, perhaps, determined, to some extent, by my prin- 

 ciples in regard to the ethics of science. I maintain that in scientific 

 work the ego should be forgotten, that scientific credit is an idle fig- 

 ment, and that individual names should appear only as a means of 

 fixing responsibility. I realize that identical views were probably pre- 

 sented by some of your members in the discussions relating to the 

 matter, and that your course was decided upon by consense among 

 members and friends of the Academy ; and I do not criticise your 

 course, but rather, as I have already intimated, express the feelings of 

 one of the members of the Academy. 



Now that the i)amphlet has been published, and it is proposed by the 

 Academy to distribute it as widely as jjossible, I am quite wiUing to do 

 my share. I should like, therefore, to have you forward me two or 

 three additional copies. At least two gentlemen who are interested in 

 the matter, knowing that I have some connection with the Davenport 

 Academy, have a])phed to me for copies. I should like to be able to 

 meet such recjuests in the future. 



Please convey my kindest regards to your family, particularly Mrs. 

 Putnam, to whom I am deeply indebted. My debt to her shall, how- 

 ever, be partly repaid within a few days. 



With best wishes for the Academy, I beg to remain 



Sincerely yours, W. J. McGee, Geologist. 



Daveni>()ri', Iow.a, Ai)ril ii, 1885. 

 W. J. Mc(jEE, Geologist, Department of tJie Interior, United States Geo- 

 logical SurTey, Washington, D. C, — 



My Dear Sir: Your valued favor of the 8th instant was received 

 this morning. From your emphatic condemnation, during your last 

 visit here, of the "careless statements" of Mr. Henshaw, we relied upon 

 your supi^ort, and hence the tone of your letter was (]uite a surprise. 

 However, we all feel that it would, after all, be quite unreasonable in 

 us to expect more in view of your present environments. 



We note with entire good nature your strictures upon the style and 

 manner of our vindication. Our action, however, v, as well considered, 



