550 
MR. MAYHEW TO THE EDITORS. 
exclusion of more profitable matter. Had information been de- 
sired, a plain question would have drawn forth a simple answer. 
Mr. Barlow, unfortunately, by his needless and uncalled-for per- 
sonality, provoked retaliation, while he prevented me from offering 
the explanation for which he professed to be desirous ; but now 
that the idle discussion is brought to an end, allow me to lay 
before the readers of The Veterinarian a few words explana- 
tory of what has been wilfully confused. 
In the paper* which has been rendered so unpleasantly notorious, 
I in no place assert that what 1 point out had not been previously 
seen by others; and, so far from being anxious to appear conspi- 
cuous as an anatomical discoverer, I mention the names of no less 
than five gentlemen to whom I had been indebted for the facts 
which enabled me to illustrate my opinions. The object of the 
Essay, therefore, clearly was not to puff up my anatomical know- 
ledge, but to deduce from a chain of observations, the extent of 
which was not in the slightest exaggerated, a certain law to which 
it was thought too little attention had hitherto been paid. If in 
my opinions I have been anticipated, I am only happy to learn 
that what I hesitatingly advanced is not incapable of corroboration. 
I do not intend to dispute the right of priority. I am willing to 
be the last, so I am with the truth ; but I think a frifend of Mr. 
Dick’s had more reason to rejoice when that gentleman’s ideas 
were unintentionally corroborated, than cause to be offended at 
the circumstance. Of Mr. Dick’s opinions and views I know but 
little, never having had the benefit of his instruction. I worked 
in ignorance of his opinions, which, had I known them, would 
probably have spared me much fatigue. This I regret; and I also 
lament that on so important a subject Mr. Dick should be so in- 
different concerning the fame to which he is entitled. It cannot 
be supposed that every library contains all the periodicals of the 
dav ; neither can it be expected that an individual should, to the 
neglect of other duties, hunt through every volume that has been 
published. I contented myself with reading what I esteemed to 
be “ the authorities,” and, among the rest, perused the Manual 
published in 1841. In that work I found no notice to inform me 
of what I have since been told Mr. Dick long ago discovered, and 
at the present time enforces. 
I have the honour to be, 
Gentlemen, 
Your obedient servant, 
Edw. Mayhew. 
* See note, page 551 . — Edit. Vet. 
