228 SPREAD OF EVOLUTION. [1866. 



reversion, effects of use and disuse, &c. I have also for 

 many years speculated on the different forms of reproduc- 

 tion. Hence it has come to be a passion with me to try to 

 connect all such facts by some sort of hypothesis. The MS. 

 which I wish to send you gives such a hypothesis ; it is a 

 very rash and crude hypothesis, yet it has been a consider- 

 able relief to my mind, and I can hang on it a good many 

 groups of facts. I well know that a mere hypothesis, and 

 this is nothing more, is of little value ; but it is very useful to 

 me as serving as a kind of summary for certain chapters. 

 Now I earnestly wish for your verdict given briefly as, " Burn 

 it " — or, which is the most favourable verdict I can hope for, 

 " It does rudely connect together certain facts, and I do not 

 think it will immediately pass out of my mind." If you can 

 say this much, and you do not think it absolutely ridiculous, 

 I shall publish it in my concluding chapter. Now will you 

 grant me this favour ? You must refuse if you are too much 

 overworked. 



I must say for myself that I am a hero to expose my hy- 

 pothesis to the fiery ordeal of your criticism. 



July 12, [1865 ?]. 

 My dear Huxley, — I thank you most sincerely for hav- 

 ing so carefully considered my MS. It has been a real act 

 of kindness. It would have annoyed me extremely to have 

 re-published Buffon's views, which I did not know of, but I 

 will get the book ; and if I have strength I will also read 

 Bonnet. I do not doubt your judgment is perfectly just, 

 and I will try to persuade myself not to publish. The whole 

 affair is much too speculative ; yet I think some such view 

 will have to be adopted, when I call to mind such facts as 

 the inherited effects of use and disuse, &c. But I will try to 

 be cautious. . . . 



[1865?]. 

 My dear Huxley, — Forgive my writing in pencil, as I 

 can do so lying down. I have read Buffon : whole pages 



