TO THE LOWER ANIMALS 297 



Owen's proposed definitions may have been, they might be accepted 

 without changing the great features of the case. Hence, though 

 special investigations into these matters have been undertaken 

 during the last two years by Dr. Allen Thomson, by Dr. Rolleston, 

 by Mr. Marshall, and by Mr. Flower, all, as you are aware, anatomists 

 of repute in this country, and by Professors Schroeder Van der Kolk, 

 and Vrolik (whom Professor Owen incautiously tried to press into 

 his own service) on the Continent, all these able and conscientious 

 observers have with one accord testified to the accuracy of my 

 statements, and to the utter baselessness of the assertions of Pro- 

 fessor Owen. Even the venerable Rudolph Wagner, whom no 

 man will accuse of progressionist proclivities, has raised his voice 

 on the same side ; while not a single anatomist, great or small, has 

 supported Professor Owen. 



" Now, I do not mean to suggest that scientific differences should 

 be settled by universal suffrage, but I do conceive that solid proofs 

 must be met by something more than empty and unsupported 

 assertions. Yet during the two years through which this prepos- 

 terous controversy has dragged its weary length, Professor Owen has 

 not ventured to bring forward a single preparation in support of 

 his often-repeated assertions. 



" The case stands thus, therefore : Not only are the statements 

 made by me in consonance with the doctrines of the best older 

 authorities, and with those of all recent investigators, but I am 

 quite ready to demonstrate them on the first monkey that comes 

 to hand ; while Professor Owen's assertions are not only in diametri- 

 tal opposition to both old and new authorities, but he has not 

 produced, and, I will add, cannot produce, a single preparation 

 which justifies them." 



I now leave this subject, for the present. For the credit of my 

 calling I should be glad to be, hereafter, for ever silent upon it. 

 But, unfortunately, this is a matter upon which, after all that has 

 occurred, no mistake or confusion of terms is possible and in 

 affirming that the posterior lobe, the posterior cornu, and the 

 hippocampus minor exist in certain Apes, I am stating either that 

 which is true, or that which I must know to be false. The question 

 has thus become one of personal veracity. For myself, I will 

 accept no other issue than this, grave as it is, to the present con- 

 troversy. 



