142 Miscellaneous. 
synonyms, but merely observe that Mr. Ralfs is frequently made to 
have used a nomenclature quite different from that which eeaaty ex- 
ists in the ‘ Annals’ and ‘Transactions.’ ”’ 
In answer to the first statement I would observe, that Mr. Ralfs’ 
papers, so far as they had appeared up to the date of the publication 
of my work, are quoted throughout, and that whenever I conceived 
any description or fact to be appropriate or well-expressed in those 
papers, I have preferred to adopt the ipsissima verba of Mr. Ralfs, 
acknowledging the source of the quotation by the inverted commas, 
and appending the name of the writer thereto. . It would have been 
easy for me, had I thought proper so to do, to have abstained from 
these quotations altogether. 
So much for the first statement. Now for the comparison made 
- between my drawings of Desmidie and those of Mr. Jenner and Mr. 
Ralfs.. It should be recollected that circumstances compelled me to. 
be my own artist, and that I had not the advantage of a professional 
engraver ; notwithstanding this very great drawback, I will venture 
to assert that my plates of Desmidia, taken as a whole, will be 
found wanting in no essential particular, and that from the circum- 
stance of the drawings being coloured, they are both more instructive. 
and more pleasing to the sight. ‘The best sketches contained. in. 
Mr. Ralfs’. plates were drawn by Mr. Jenner, who, in his researches 
into the Desmidig, has been not less successful than Mr. Ralfs.: 
Your reviewer might with propriety have referred to the name of. 
Mr. Jenner in connexion with the Desmidie. 
To the charge contained in the last statement, viz. that I have. 
frequently attributed to him a nomenclature not belonging to him,. 
I must, except in a single instance, plead entire ignorance. In one 
example I have indeed, and designedly, altered a termination of a 
specific name, and this at the request of Mr. Moore, the original 
discoverer of the species in Britain. Thus Meloseira arenaria, Ralfs,. 
I changed to M. arenosa, Moore : the former appellation, independ-: 
ently of its not being the name conferred upon it by Mr. Moore, is- 
erroneous, while the latter is not merely that originally assigned, but 
likewise expresses a character of the species, viz. the gritty sensa- 
tion which it imparts when rubbed between the fingers. I cannot 
help suspecting that this charge rests upon a very feeble foundation. 
Your reviewer disclaims the intention of hunting out and record-: 
ing errors. I would remark, that without intending it then, he has 
exhibited considerable ability in the search which unknowingly he 
has certainly pursued. 
I trust, gentlemen, that I have now proved to. your satisfaction, and. 
to that of the readers. of.this» letter, the proposition with which I 
commenced, viz. that I believed that I should be able to show, that, 
on certain points, the reviewer has indulged in animadversion to an- 
extent, which on a candid and careful examination of the work mi 
uestion is not justified. 
The following remarks, addressed by Linnzus to Haller, wil not. 
inappropriately conclude this letter :— 
“If you detect any mistakes of mine, I rely on your superior 
