'§56-81 WHAT STUDENTS PREFER! 57 
>^0 printed record of the vast amount of undi- 
gested information still remaining unpublished in 
drawers, written only on loose tickets, by 
thousands, of which a puff of wind or a shake of 
the drawer would involve an irretrievable con- 
fusion.’ 
In his book on the Natural History Museum, 
Owen quoted, and commented upon, a defence of 
the existing state of things which had been 
Seriously put forward. The following extract 
gives the quotation and the comment : — 
‘ It seems incredible that such an assertion 
^euld have been hazarded as the following, by 
advocate of the existing state of things. 
“ Students and scientific men greatly prefer to 
have the specimens for examination in cases 
Occupying but small space in comparison, which 
'Hniit of their being much more easily handled, 
'Compared, and measured.” ’ 
The ridiculous aspect of this defence was not 
iikely to escape the keen eye of Dickens, who 
''’'‘ote the following letter to Owen on the 
Subject : — 
August 7, 1 862. 
‘ My dear Owen, — I have been reading with 
Unspeakable interest and pleasure your charming 
httle book “ On the Extent and Aims of a National 
hluseum of Natural History.” Pray tell me who is 
'•he adventurous creature who made that astound- 
