134 Dr. Mautell on the Ventriculites. 



nions expressed in my former communication to you : I must 

 therefore again intrude on your indulgence, and request the in- 

 sertion of the entire paragraphs referred to : — 



" A very elegant and interesting family of zoophytes described by 

 me in an early memoir (published in the ' Linnsean Transactions,' 

 vol. xi.), and subsequently named Ventriculites, occurs in the Sus- 

 sex and Wiltshire chalk, in such numbers, and under such dissi- 

 milar forms as to require a passing notice in this place ; especially 

 as the subject has recently been investigated by a gentleman of 

 distinguished ability*. After mature reflection and the re-examination 

 of such specimens as are within my reach, I see no reason whatever to 

 alter a single word in the following description taken from my late 

 work (the Medals of Creation, p. 274) on Fossil Remains/' 



Then follows the description given in my former communica- 

 tion in the f Annals of Natural History ' for June, p. 435. 



** I cannot admit the correctness of Mr. Toulmin Smith's interpre- 

 tation of the appearances described in the text ; of the accuracy of his 

 beautiful microscopic examination of the intimate tissue of these 

 zoophytes I have no doubt ; and will only remark, that the octa- 

 hedral form, represented as that assumed by the inosculating fibres 

 of the membrane of the Ventriculidae, is a very extraordinary anomaly 

 in animal structures." 



From the passages printed in italics, and which are omitted in 

 Mr. Smith's quotations, your readers may now judge whether 

 there is any discrepancy between the statement in the 'Wonders 

 of Geology/ and that in my remarks published in the ' Annals 

 of Nat. Hist/ p. 435. 



In common fairness, not only the truth, but the whole truth 

 should have been given by Mr. Smith, when accusing an author 

 of injustice and inconsistency. 



With the assurance that I shall not trespass again on your 

 pages with any remarks on this subject, 



I am, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant, 



Gideon Algernon Mantell. 



19 Chester Square, Pimlico, July 10, 1848. 



* On the Ventriculidce of the Chalk, by J. Toulmin Smith, Esq., Annals 

 of Nat. Hist. No. 131. 



