LETTER TO LYELL. 237 



during the coming summer, and to be pres- 

 ent at the next meeting of the English natu- 

 ralists. 



I do not live the less happily on account of 

 my anxieties, but I am sometimes obliged to 

 work more than I well can, or ought in reason 

 to do. ... The second number of my " Fos- 

 sil Fishes" contains the beginning of the 

 anatomy of the fishes, but only such portions 

 as are to be found in the fossil state. I have 

 begun with the scales ; later, I treat of the 

 bones and the teeth. Then comes the con- 

 tinuation of the description of the Ganoids 

 and the Scomberoids, and an additional sheet 

 contains a sketch of my ichthyological clas- 

 sification. The plates are even more success- 

 ful than those of the first number. If all 

 goes well the third number will appear next 

 July. I long to visit your rich collections ; I 

 hope that whenever it becomes possible for 

 me to do so, I shall have the good fortune to 

 find you in London. . . . 



I have thought a letter addressed to the 

 President of the Society in particular, and 

 to the members in general, would be fitting. 

 Will you have the kindness to deliver it for 

 me to Mr. Murchison ? 



