1858 LETTERS 231 



Just now I ain busy over the " Croonian," which must 

 be done before I return. I have been pulling at all the 

 arguments as a spider does at his threads, and I think 

 they are all strong. If so the thing will do some good. 



I am perplexed about the N.H. Collections. The best 

 thing, I firmly believe, would be for the Economic Zoology 

 and a set of well-selected types to go to Kensington, but 

 I should be sorry to see the scientific collection placed under 

 any such auspices as those which govern the "Bilers." 

 I don't believe the clay soil of the Regent's Park would 

 matter a fraction and to have a grand scientific zoological 

 and paleontological collection for working purposes close 

 to the Gardens where the living beasts are, woiild be a 

 grand thing. I should not wonder if the affair is greatly 

 discussed at the B.A. at Leeds, and then, (perhaps, light 

 will arise. 



Have you seen that madcap Tyndall's letter in the 

 Times ? He'll break his blessed neck some day, and that 

 will be a great hole in the efficiency of my scientific 

 young England. We mean to return next Saturday, and 

 somewhere about the 16th or 17th I shall go down to 

 York, where I want to study Plesiosaurs. I shall return 

 after the British Association. The interesting question 

 arises, Shall I have a row with the great 0. there ? 

 What a capital title that is they give him of the British 

 Cuvier. He stands in exactly the same relation to the 

 French as British brandy to cognac. Ever yours faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



Am I to send the Gardener's Chronicle on, and where ? 

 please. I have mislaid the address. 



JERMYN STREET, Oct. 25, 1858. 



MY DEAR SPENCER I read your article on the 

 "Archetype" the other day with great delight, particularly 

 the phrase which puts the Owenian and Cummingian 

 interpolations on the same footing. It is rayther strong, 

 but quite just. 



