212 PROFESSOR OWEN ch. vn. 



brought for his inspection, as he feels the strongest 

 interest respecting them. It may be difficult for 

 him to come quietly to the College, but I shall try 

 to get this done if it will not excite jealousy 

 among your inmates, whose company would not 

 be desirable. . . .' 



The following entries then occur in the diary :. 



'February 2. — Richard to the Geological 

 Society; he was persuaded to go to the " three 

 ones" (in Jermyn Street), by Sir P. Egerton, 

 who fetched two foaming pots of stout, and brought 

 them in his own hands across to Richard, who 

 stood with the door-key, awaiting his arrival ! ' 



'17M. — Richard went before breakfast into 

 the museum to look at Mr. Scharf's enormous 

 diagram of the mylodon, which was suspended 

 from the gallery for inspection and criticism. 

 It is for Sedgwick. A visit from Mr. Darwin,, 

 who has much improved in health. After his 

 departure, Mr. Brown, of Stanway, Colchester — 

 the veritable and original Mr. Pickwick, I do 

 believe — came in. He stayed to dinner.' 



< 25M. — Mr. Pratt, the collector of belemnites,. 

 here. A most interesting collection of portions 

 of this long mis-known fossil now in R.'s posses- 

 sion. The ink-bags, the striated portions of 

 mantle, and tentacles with hooks, all beautifully 

 clear. In the evening to Mr. Lyell's, taking 

 some music, and R. his violoncello in its great 

 green bag.' 



