ABSTRACT
In reply to Mr. Kitton’s animadversions on my two papers recently published in the ‘Microscopical Journal,’ I venture to make a few remarks. To resent the temper of his criticisms could subserve no useful purpose, and therefore I refer to it merely to express my sincere regret that the intrinsic value of the remarks should have been depreciated by the tone in which they have been expressed. It is not unnecessary to say that I have been for very many years devoted to the study of the Diatomaceæ of Ireland, and have carefully examined many thousands of gatherings made by me, in all parts of the country and at all seasons, and have never attempted to publish any forms as new until the Arran dredgings of Dr. E. Percival Wright were placed by him in my hands. I do not make this statement of facts for the purpose of arrogating to myself a right to speak on the subject with an authority equal to that which Mr. Kitton has assumed, but of vindicating myself from the charge of being a novice in the matter, and of being affected with the disease usually known as the cacoethes scribendi, which his observations not very graciously suggest.
