OWEN 85 



of South America. As Huxley wrote : " I do not know 

 where one is to look for contributions to palaeontology 

 more varied, more numerous, and, on the whole, more 

 accurate, than those which Owen poured forth in rapid 

 succession between 1837 and 1888." 



Owen remarks in his Comparative Anatomy and 

 Physiology of the Invertebrate Animals, 1855, p. 639, 

 that physiology is dependent on comparative anatomy, 

 but the idea is not applicable at the present day, as physi- 

 ology is dependent on chemistry and physics. In later life 

 he knew this, and greatly appreciated the work of others, 

 as the following letters to the author bear evidence : 



th February 1885. I feel much indebted to you for the communica- 

 tion of the acceptable and interesting discovery of the renal organs of 

 Astacus'y and for the opportunity of connecting my name therewith 

 as humble introducer of your refined analytic research to the Eoyal 

 Society. 



31s March 1885. . . . I shall receive with pleasure every research 

 of yours, 



18th May 1887. I have read and studied your memoir "On the 

 Nephridia and Liver of Patella vulgata" with instruction and gratifi- 

 cation ; the latter excited by the evidence of advance in the study of 

 the functions of the organs of Molluscs as exemplified in the species 

 selected. It cannot fail to excite similar applications of chemistry to 

 the determination of function in other species as easily acquired for the 

 purpose as the common limpet. 



23rd May 1888. Your valuable paper, "Further Researches on 

 the Physiology of the Invertebrata," herewith returned, I have read 

 carefully and profitably, but with effort, due to failing vitality. I 

 fear you must enter me a worn-out scientist. What an expanse of 

 workable ground your indefatigability opens to view ! Long may you 

 retain the powers exemplified in the manuscript I now return. With 

 kindest regards and every good wish. 



