1 866.] PANGENESIS. 45 



[1865?] 



MY DEAR HUXLEY, Forgive my writing in pencil, as I 

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

 are laughably like mine. It is surprising how candid it 

 makes one to see one's views in another man's words. I 

 am rather ashamed of the whole affair, but not converted 

 to a no-belief. What a kindness you have done me with 

 your " vulpine sharpness." Nevertheless, there is a funda- 

 mental distinction between Buffon's views and mine. He 

 does not suppose that each cell or atom of tissue throws 

 off a little bud ; but he supposes that the sap or blood 

 includes his " organic molecules," which are ready formed, fit 

 to nourish each organ, and when this is fully formed, they 

 collect to form buds and the sexual elements. It is all 

 rubbish to speculate as I have done ; yet, if I ever have 

 strength to publish my next book, I fear I shall not resist 

 " Pangenesis," but I assure you I will put it humbly enough. 

 The ordinary course of development of beings, such as the 

 Echinodermata, in which new organs are formed at quite 

 remote spots from the analogous previous parts, seems to me 

 extremely difficult to reconcile on any view except the free 

 diffusion in the parent of the germs or gemmules of each 

 separate new organ : and so in cases of alternate generation. 

 But I will not scribble any more. Hearty thanks to you, you 

 best of critics and most learned man 



[The letters now take up the history of the year 1866.] 



C. Darwin to A. R. Wallace. 



Down, July 5 [1866]. 



MY DEAR WALLACE, I have been much interested by 

 your letter, which is as clear as daylight. I fully agree with 

 all that you say on the advantages of H. Spencer's excellent 



