Why, that Dr. Lyon Playfair read an Abstract of Professor 

 Liebig's Report ! An abstract, merely, not the book ; not a 

 volume of more than three hundred pages ! but an abstract, 



which is given in the " Athenseum," of which it occupies two 



pages. The Association, undoubtedly, had time to listen to this 

 abstract, but not to an octavo volume, with all its figures and 

 calculations. Indeed, Dr. Playfair expressly says, that of parts, 

 and important parts, of the Report he " dared not venture to 

 make an abstract." (Vide London " Athenaeum," July 2d.) So 

 much foundation is there for this unfortunately positive assertion 

 of Messrs. Wiley and Putnam. 



Again, Messrs. Wiley and Putnam assert, with equal positive- 

 ness, that the Report of Professor Liebig " was- purchased by 

 the Association." They had less, if possible, of foundation for 

 this assertion. In the first place, all who are conversant with 

 the proceedings, rules, and customs of the Association, know 

 that this cannot be true. The Association appropriate funds 

 for the prosecution of some scientific researches, for necessary 

 apparatus, &c. In the Annual Reports, all such appropria- 

 tions are particularly designated, and in the Treasurer's An- 

 nual Statement, all sums so employed and paid, are noted. 

 From the examination of these documents, from the time 

 Professor Liebig was requested to draw up this Report, name- 

 ly, in 1838, not a shilling appears to have been appropriated 

 for defraying the expense- or to have been paid to Professor 

 Liebig. These documents are accessible to all. 



On this point, too, evidence, has been obtained from the dis- 

 tinguished member of the Association already alluded to, who 

 has held the office of Vice President in the Association, and been 

 a member of its Council. Not only has he confirmed the infer- 

 ences previously drawn from the volumes of the Association, 

 but supplied additional evidence, that payment could not have 

 been made, or the Report published, at the cost of the Associa- 

 tion. The only Reports published at the cost of the Association 

 are those contained in the annual volume. Up to the latest 

 date, nothing appears from which Messrs. Wiley and Putnam 

 could, in the slightest degree, be authorized to say, that pay- 



