200 CHARLES DARWIN. 



generous nature was a most potent force in influencing 

 and attracting men ; and it was this, no less than his 

 epoch-making discoveries, which has made it one of 

 the chief regrets of many a scientific worker that he 

 never saw Charles Darwin. 



The correspondence was opened by a letter from 

 Meldola informing Darwin of a case of hexadactylism 

 in a man at Turnham Green. 



''Jan. 28 [1871]. "Down. 



"Dear Sir, — I am much obliged for your kindness in 

 informing me of the hexadactylous case ; but so many have 

 been recorded that I do not think, except under very special 

 circumstances, it would be worth your while further to investi- 

 gate it. 



" With my thanks, yours faithfully and obliged, 



"Ch. Darwin." 



The next letter refers to Meldola's communication 

 to Nature (he had recently written upon pangenesis 

 an d upon se xual selection), and his work on mimicry, 

 protective resemblance, etc. In the latter part we 

 nioct with an interesting reference to the researches 

 on cross fertilisation which are now so famous. 



''June 9th [1871]. "Down. 



" Dear Sir,— I am greatly obliged by your note. I have 

 read with much interest and carefully perused your letter in 

 Nature, and am looking out for a paper announced for Linn. Soc. 

 Your remarks shall all be in due time fully considered. With 

 respect to the separation of the sexes, I have often reflected 

 on the subject ; but there is much ditficulty, as it seems to me 

 and as Nageli has insisted, inasmuch as a strong case can be 

 made out in favour of the view that with plants at least the 

 sexes were primordially distinct, then became in many cases 



