^T.50.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 463 



he will show us how external influences actually 

 worked to change a peach into a nectarine, I will 

 consider his proposition. 



If he means by " external influences " whatever has 

 brought about the change, very well. I, of course, 

 allow that every variation has a cause, a physical 

 cause. But it seems to me you may as well say that 

 conception and the production of a normal offspring is 

 the result of " external influences " as the production 

 of an abnormal (variant) offspring. 



But there is no use writing at random. 



You ask me whether I adhere to my notions before 

 expressed, without at all showing me how they have 

 been impugned. 



I should rather expect Guyot to indorse Beaumont ; 

 a theological bias would act strongly. 



But I rely most on Lartet, Coulon, and Pictet, for 

 the age of deposit. Yet it may still be an open ques- 

 tion. . . . 



Darwin, on account of his health, has to live away 

 from London, and is a recluse. I give no letters to 

 him, least of all to a lively inquisitive Yankee like 

 Beecher, who would give him a fit of dyspepsia at 

 once, from mere excitement. 



I have the Imperial Academy of Sciences of St. 

 Petersburg honorary membership ; quite a feather, 

 as they are choice and few. Diploma just come. 



Ever yours, A. GRAY. 



TO R. W. CHURCH. 



May 7, 1861. 



It was very good of you to write to me (by your 

 letter of 28th of March) when I believe that a former 

 letter of yours was still unacknowledged by me. Your 

 letters always give me much pleasure. 



