312 EVOLUTION [Chap. IV 



Letter 227 To F. Muller. 



Down, March iSlh [1869]. 



Since I wrote a few days ago and sent off three copies of 

 your book, I have read the English translation, 1 and cannot 

 deny myself the pleasure of once again expressing to you my 

 warm admiration. I might, but will not, repeat my thanks 

 for the very honourable manner in which you often mention 

 my name ; but I can truly say that I look at the publication 

 of your essay as one of the greatest honours ever conferred 

 on me. Nothing can be more profound and striking than 

 your observations on development and classification. I am 

 very glad that you have added your justification in regard to 

 the metamorphoses of insects ; for your conclusion now seems 

 in the highest degree probable.- I have re-read many parts, 

 especially that on cirripedes, with the liveliest interest. I had 

 almost forgotten your discussion on the retrograde develop- 

 ment of the Rhizocephala. What an admirable illustration it 

 affords of my whole doctrine ! A man must indeed be a 

 bigot in favour of separate acts of creation if he is not 

 staggered after reading your essay ; but I fear that it is too 

 deep for English readers, except for a select few. 



Letter 22S To A. R. Wallace. 



March 27th [1869]. 

 I have lately {i.e., in new edition of the Origin)* been 

 moderating my zeal, and attributing much more to mere 

 useless variability. I did think I would send you the sheet, 

 but I daresay you would not care to see it, in which I discuss 

 Niigeli's Essay on Natural Selection not affecting characters of 

 no functional importance, and which yet are of high classifi- 

 catory importance. Hooker is pretty well satisfied with what 

 I have said on this head. 



1 Facts and Arguments for Darwin. See Life and Letters, III., 



P. 37- 



- See Facts und Arguments for Darwin, p. 119 (note), where F. 

 Muller gives his reasons for the belief that the "complete metamor- 

 phosis" of insects was not a character of the form from which insects 

 have sprung : his argument largely depends on considerations drawn 

 from the study of the neuroptera. 



:I Fifth edition, 1869, pp. 150-57. 



