172 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xii 



As you say, I have found this a great place for " work of 

 price." I have finished the " Oceanic Hydrozoa " all but the 

 bookvifork, for which I must have access to the B.M. Library — 

 but another week will do him. My notes are from eight to 

 twelve years old, and really I often have felt like the editor of 

 somebody else's posthumous work. 



Just now I am 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, would 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 i6th or 17th 

 I shall go down to York, where I want to study Plesiosaurs. I 

 shall return after the British Association. The interesting ques- 

 tion arises, Shall I have a row with the Great O. 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. 



I do not remember a word to object to, but I think I could 

 have strengthened your argument in one or two places. Having 

 eaten the food, will you let me have back the dish ? I am wind- 



