i857-l ARGUMENT FROM DOMESTICATION. 453 



paper * in the Annals, a year or more ago, I can plainly see 

 that we have thought much alike and to a certain extent have 

 come to similar conclusions. In regard to the Paper in the 

 Annals, I agree to the truth of almost every word of your 

 paper ; and I dare say that you will agree with me that it is 

 very rare to find oneself agreeing pretty closely with any 

 theoretical paper ; for it is lamentable how each man draws 

 his own different conclusions from the very same facts. This 

 summer will make the 2oth year (!) since I opened my first 

 note-book, on the question how and in what way do species 

 and varieties differ from each other. I am now preparing my 

 work for publication, but I find the subject so very large, that 

 though I have written many chapters, I do not suppose I shall 

 go to press for two years. I have never heard how long you 

 intend staying in the Malay Archipelago ; I wish I might 

 profit by the publication of your Travels there before my 

 work appears, for no doubt you will reap a large harvest of 

 facts. I have acted already in accordance with your advice 

 of keeping domestic varieties, and those appearing in a state 

 of nature, distinct ; but I have sometimes doubted of the 

 wisdom of this, and therefore I am glad to be backed by your 

 opinion. I must confess, however, I rather doubt the truth 

 of the now very prevalent doctrine of all our domestic animals 

 having descended from several wild stocks ; though I do not 

 doubt that it is so in some cases. I think there is rather 

 better evidence on the sterility of hybrid animals than you 

 seem to admit : and in regard to plants the collection of 

 carefully recorded facts by Kolreuter and Gaertner (and 

 Herbert,] is enormous. I most entirely agree with you on the 

 little effects of " climatal conditions," which one sees referred 

 to ad' nauseam in all books : I suppose some very little effect 

 must be attributed to such influences, but I fully believe that 

 they are very slight. It is really impossible to explain my 

 views (in the compass of a letter), on the causes and means 



* ' On the law that has regulated the introduction of new species.' 

 Ann. Nat. Hist., 1855. 



