SECUNDUM. It would be useful to extract and reproduce the following paragraphs: “A reply or replication is purely a defensive pleading, the office or function of which is to deny, or allege facts in avoidance of, new matters alleged in the plea or answer and thereby join or make issue as to such new matters. (para 184) No reply or replication is necessary where the issues are completed by, and no new matter is set up, in the plea or answer. (para 185 a.) At common law a replication is necessary where a plea introduces new matter and concludes with a verification; but under the codes, practice acts, or rules of civil procedure of a number of states a reply to new defensive matter is not necessary or is necessary only when ordered by the court. A reply to a counterclaim is generally necessary; but under some code provisions no reply or replication is required in any case. (para 185 b.(1)) The discretion which the court possesses, under some codes or practice acts, to direct the