8 



name must stand as a synonym of the former, and Tinoceras be with- 

 drawn from the synonymy of TJintatherium, where it might well remain 

 so far as his description characterizes it. But if so, his statement that 

 there are five superior molars must be altered, as the genus Loxolophodon 

 possesses six. He has also stated that JJintatJierium robustum possesses 

 a small tubercle on one of the molars not found in U. mirabile, and bases 

 a generic distinction between the species thereon ; for use he at last suc- 

 ceeds in defining the latter as a species only. 



Perhaps, however, Prof. Marsh desires to impose upon scientific litera- 

 ture the numerous names he has proposed for species he has never de- 

 scribed.* This he has attempted in the case of the fossil American Tur- 

 key, Meleagris superbus, Cope, which was described by the writer over a 

 year sooner than by him. At the latter date this species was discovered 

 to have been called 31. altus, Marsh, some months prior to my descrip- 

 tion, but without any allusion to its chai-acters or other means by which 

 it could be identified. If Prof. Marsh desires students to use his museum 

 labels, without descriptions, he might refer to Bronn's " Lethsea Geog- 

 nostica," and other works, where he will find all such names consigned 

 to the rubbish of synonymy so soon as it can be ascertained to what they 

 refer. 



Since the above was written, Prof. Marsh has published charges re- 

 specting "breach of promise " to send papers, etc. As "it is a bad rule 

 that does not work both ways," shall I question the dates on Prof. M.'s 

 papers because I did not receive them until December ? It would re- 

 ceive more of the frons aenea than I possess for such an enterprise. 



To sum up the matter, it is plain that most of Prof. Marsh's criticisms 

 are misrepresentations, his systematic innovations are untenable, and 

 his statements as to the dates of my papers are either criminally ambigu- 

 ous or untrue. I might now characterize the effrontery of these pro- 

 ceedings, by saying, that for the first time in the history of American 

 Science has politics raised its hydra head, as those connected with the 

 Geological Survey of the Territories, etc., are aware. Hence it is, that 

 the recklessness of assertion, the erroneousness of statement, and want 

 of appreciation of both ordinary ethics and scientific jurisprudence ex- 

 hibited by these attacks are simply unparalleled. The incapacity of their 

 author, of comprehending our relative positions, render further discus- 

 sion of the trivial matters upon which we disagree unnecessary ; and the 

 time thereby diverted from scientific pursuits being only lost, he will re- 

 ceive no further personal notice from the present writer. 



N. B. The reader is requested to compare Prof. Marsh's criticisms 

 with my plates published in " The Short-Footed Ungulata of the Eocene 

 of Wyoming." 



* Several of which owe their existence in literature to the descriptions which I have given, , 

 e. g., Thecaehampaa sguankensis " Marsh," Hadrosaur us minor "Marsh." 



