* 
58 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST- | (Vor. XXXIX. 
as the author of the book, I have very strong conscientious scruples 
against it. The book, even as it stands, is really Orton's work, for I 
have added only a comparatively small amount, and I do not want 
to appear to have appropriated another man's book. But this, I 
fear, is just how it will look unless Orton's name is given, as it 
deserves, more prominence on the title-page. If I had re-written the 
book, then we might say, perhaps, * Based on Orton's Comparative 
Zoology, but, as matters stand, the book zs Orton’s Comparative 
Zoology, with some changes and additions of my own, to be sure, 
but they are hardly sufficient in number or importance to warrant me 
in assuming to have made such a radical change as to justify my 
being called the author." In the same letter I suggested that in 
order to avoid confusing the two editions the trade name for the new 
one might be the “ Orton-Dodge General Zoólogy." The first print- 
ing of the book was sent out without Professor Orton's name on the 
cover, a most unfortunate error and one which no one regrets more 
deeply than I do, but the omission was made without my consent or 
knowledge and I am in no way responsible for it. The publishers 
promptly corrected the mistake at the next printing of the volume. 
In justice to the American Book Company I wish to state also 
that to the best of my knowledge the advertising matter sent out 
regarding the book has never represented it to be “a mew one,” as 
the reviewer would have us believe. I have carefully examined all 
of the several catalogues, folders, etc., in my possession and all state 
that this is “a revision and re-arrangement of Orton's Comparative 
Zoology," and describe fully the extent and character of the changes 
made. Furthermore, in various expressions attention is called to 
this fact no fewer than three times in a preface of less than that 
number of pages. It is, consequently, a most preposterous supposi- 
tion that anyone can be misled as to the nature of the book. 
Finally, if, in spite of all efforts to the contrary, I have not made 
my position clear, I will say for the sake of those who may be inter- 
ested in the matter that I deny most emphatically the implication that 
I have or have had any desire, intention, or expectation to receive 
credit which properly belongs to Professor Orton, my sometime pre- 
decessor in this institution. 
Very truly yours, 
CHARLES WRIGHT DODGE. 
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, : 
(Nos. 455-456 were issued Jan. 10, 1905.) 


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