LETTER FROM OWEN. 541 



The following letter was one of many in 

 the same tone received from his European 

 correspondents concerning this work. 



FROM RICHARD OWEN. 



December 9, 1857. 



... I cannot permit a day to elapse with- 

 out thanking you for the two volumes of 

 your great work on American zoology, which, 

 from your masterly and exhaustive style of 

 treatment, becomes the most important con- 

 tribution to the right progress of zoological 

 science in all parts of the world where pro- 

 gress permits its cultivation. It is worthy 

 of the author of the classical work on fossil 

 fishes ; and such works, like the Cyclopean 

 structures of antiquity, are built to endure. I 

 feel and I beg to express a fervent hope that 

 you may be spared in health and vigor to see 

 the completion of your great plan. 



I have placed in Mr. Trubner's hands a set 

 of the numbers (6) of my " History of British 

 Fossil Reptiles," which have already appeared ; 

 a seventh will soon be out, and as they will be 

 sent to you in succession I hope you will per- 

 mit me to make a small and inadequate return 

 for your liberality in the gift of your work 



