NO:2.) (27 EGG OF AMIA) AND) TTS CLEAVAGE: 203 
and related work moving, Mr. Allis kept the Lake Laboratory 
open for the first four years of his absence, and then closed it, 
with the expectation of reopening it as soon as he could resume 
personal direction. All the while he has been pushing forward 
the anatomical work on Amia (now completed and in press), 
and has thus prepared himself in quite an exceptional way for 
a thorough study of the development. 
Those who know how faithfully Mr. Allis has pursued his 
work under unexpected difficulties, and how he has continued 
for years to divide his income in support of the investigations 
of others, and in maintenance of a national medium of publica- 
tion, — those who are aware of all this may wonder that a 
report could get into circulation to the effect that the Amia 
material was being unfairly monopolized. The implication 
extends to all who have participated in the discovery, collec- 
tion, and elaboration of this material (Whitman, Patten, Ayers, 
Eycleshymer, Strong, and Nomura), for all have abetted the 
crime, in so far as they have refrained from snatching the mate- 
rial themselves or assisting others in such business. The prize 
of priority, coupled with dishonor and theft, was not a distinc- 
tion coveted at the Lake Laboratory. If to find what others 
have failed to find, and to devote life and fortune to its investi- 
gation, is unjust monopoly, then how might biology prosper in 
the exchange of footpads for monopolists ? 
Those who, knowing all the circumstances, have nevertheless 
given currency to this censure, or allowed it to pass undisputed, 
have something less than generous instincts to be proud of. 
Mr. Allis’s great crime reduces itself to the misfortune of hav- 
ing had to submit to delay in his work, to the neglect of all 
tintinnabulous advertising, and to contempt for the notoriety 
accorded to prolific scribbling and priority hustle. To all cour- 
teous applications for Amia material Mr. Allis has freely re- 
sponded to the extent that his resources and work would permit. 
It remains to deal briefly with Dr. Fiilleborn’s mission for 
the collection of the eggs of Amia and Necturus. From what 
has already been stated, it will be clear that there were certain 
claims and obligations in relation to this material which were 
not to be entirely overlooked. Without a word of previous 
