The pleading which takes the place of the declaration at common law and the answer in chancery is under the codes called the answer.

"The answer of the defendant must contain:

1. A general or specific denial of each material allegation of the complaint controverted by the defendant, or of any knowledge or information thereof sufficient to form a belief.

2. A statement of any new matter constituting a defense or counterclaim, in ordinary and concise language, without repetition." 13

Under most of the codes, when the complaint is verified, subsequent pleadings must also be verified,14 and in some states the denial contained in the answer must also be specific;15 in other cases the denial may be either general or specific. As has already been stated, all of the material allegations of the complaint which are not controverted by a general or specific denial, are admitted to be true.

10 N. Y. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 491;

Cal. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 431. 11 N. Y. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 498;

Cal. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 433. 12 N. Y. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 499;

Cal. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 434.

13 N. Y. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 500;

Cal. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 437. 14 N. Y. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 523;

Cal. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 426;

2 Wis. Stat., Sec. 2665. 15 Cal. Code Civ. Pro., Sec. 437.

"A defendant may set forth in his answer, as many defenses or counterclaims, or both, as he has, whether they are such as were formerly denominated legal or equitable. Each defense must be separately stated and numbered.