284 WORK ON 'MAN. . [1868 



is from pigeons, because I state I have worked them out more 

 fully than other beings ! He muddles together two books of 

 Flourens.'' 



The following letter refers to a paper * by Judge Caton, 

 of which my father often spoke with admiration :] 



C. Darwin to John D. Caton. 



Down, September 18, 1868. 



DEAR SIR, I beg leave to thank you very sincerely for 

 your kindness in sending me, through Mr. Walsh, your ad- 

 mirable paper on American Deer. 



It is quite full of most interesting observations, stated with 

 the greatest clearness. I have seldom read a paper with 

 more interest, for it abounds with facts of direct use for my 

 work. Many of them consist of little points which hardly 

 any one besides yourself has observed, or perceived the im- 

 portance of recording. I would instance the age at which 

 the horns are developed (a point on which I have lately been 

 in vain searching for information), the rudiment of horns in 

 the female elk, and especially the different nature of the 

 plants devoured by the deer and elk, and several other 

 points. With cordial thanks for the pleasure and instruction 

 which you have afforded me, and with high respect for your 

 power of observation, I beg leave to remain, dear Sir, 

 Yours faithfully and obliged, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



[The following extract from a letter (Sept. 24, 1868) to 

 the Marquis de Saporta, the eminent palaeo-botanist, refers 

 to the growth of evolutionary views in France : \ 



u As I have formerly read with great interest many of 

 your papers on fossil plants, you may believe with what high 



*' Transactions of the Ottawa Academy of Natural Sciences,' 1868. 

 By John D. Caton, late Chief Justice of Illinois. 



f In 1868 he was pleased at being asked to authorise a French transla- 

 tion of his ' Naturalist's Voyage.' 



