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Show 1S68.] ON THE CETACEANS OF THE GREENLAND SEAS. 533 " One of these preparations is so exactly like one of Dr. Bowerbank's figures, that it seems certain they must have represented contiguous slices, merely separated from each other by the knife in cutting them. " Thus it will be seen that the sponge which I a m accused of 'describing without permission' was described and figured in 1862, now six years ago, and had been the subject of discussion by Dr. Oscar Schmidt and others in scientific papers-moreover that, instead of 'surreptitiously getting sight of it,' it was not in any way sought out by me, but that the specimen which I examined was brought to m e by its owner, with a view to the elucidation of a subject in which we had a common scientific interest. It is shown also that the sponge which I described was part of the oriyinal specimen, which Dr. Bowerbank in one place denies; while it was not surreptitiously got sight of, which, without apparently noticing the contradictory nature of the charge, he asserts in another. " I should be the last person to object to the utmost possible freedom of discussion; but, nevertheless, I cannot but feel that it should be conducted with decorum and with attention to the feelings aud habits of society, and, at all events, with the most careful attention to accuracy of statement. I know well that Dr. Bowerbank is in the habit of using very strong language; but I do not consider it creditable to the scientific character of the Zoological Society that such an attack on one of the oldest and certainly not the least industrious of its scientific Members should have been allowed to appear in its ' Proceedings,' without first informing him of it in order that he might be allowed to show, as I have now done, that the charge is without the shadow of a foundation. I think, too, that such a paper should, at all events, be brought under the special consideration of the Publication Committee before printing; and I a m certain that in such cases the authors would be requested, in consideration of the dignity of science, to reconsider many of their statements. Societies very properly decline responsibility for the facts or reasonings of the papers they publish; but the tone and temper of the communications is certainly within their province to decide on. „ j ^ m y dear g^ " Yours sincerely, "P. L. Sclater, Esq." "JOHN E D W A R D GRAY." The following papers were read :-- 1. Notes on the History and Geographical Relations of the Cetacea frequenting Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. By R O B E R T B R O W N , F.R.G.S. [Communicated by Dr. James Murie.] I conclude these papers on the Mammalia of Greenland and adjoining seas by a few notes on the order more intimately associated PROC ZOOL. SOC-1868, No. XXXV. |