» TRANSLATION OF MINERAL CONCHOLOGY. 



say. The general principle of translating scientific works from one lan- 

 guage into another is utterly foreign to the question, and cannot possibly 

 be brought to bear upon those publications whose scientific value is vested 

 in faithful representations of species, fac similes of which can be at any 

 time produced at an enormous reduction of expense below that which 

 they have originally cost the author. 



That Agassiz is altogether in error on the subject of the relation in 

 which the present Mr. James De Carle Sowerby stands in respect to the 

 ' Mineral Conchology,' is clear from the following passage, which will be 

 found in No. 105. " To the public the author feels deeply indebted, 

 and cannot refrain from declaring his gratitude for the encouragement 

 bestowed upon a work commenced by his lamented father, and in the con- 

 tinuation of which he himself has incurred so much responsibility." — 

 Dated Camden Town, July, 1835.* 



As to the numerous additions and corrections in the French edition upon 

 which Agassiz seems to plume himself, we cannot give him a great deal 

 of credit on this score, when his zeal for science has not induced him to 

 procure from England such species as are now well known and readily 

 obtained in a more perfect condition than some of the specimens figured 

 in the early numbers of Mr. Sowerby's work. And upon the subject of 

 an English edition of the ' Poissons Fossiles,' though, as far as we are 

 aware, nothing of the kind is in contemplation, yet if its author really 

 have acted with so little prudence as not to have reserved a supply to 

 meet the demand that must arise when the work is rendered complete ; 

 and never intends, after the issue of his 15th livraison, to resume those 

 labours in ancient Ichthyology which have shed so much light upon this 

 department of science, and reflected so much lustre on himself; in that 

 case most cordially should we adopt his avowed sentiments, and look up- 

 on a cheap English fac-simile of the ' Poissons Fossiles,' as a matter of 

 the highest 'utilite.' 



*It is hardly necessary to observe that since the publication of the 

 above number in 1835, English geologists have been anxiously hoping 

 that Mr. J. de C. Sowerby would again proceed with the continuation of 

 the ' Mineral Conchology.' 



