416 MISCELLANEA. [1880, 



[In 1880 he published a short paper in 'Nature' (vol. 

 xxi. p. 207) on the " Fertility of Hybrids from the common 

 and Chinese goose." He received the hybrids from the 

 Rev. Dr. Goodacre, and was glad of the opportunity of test- 

 ing the accuracy of the statement that these species are fer- 

 tile inter se. This fact, which was given in the * Origin ' on 

 the authority of Mr. Eyton, he considered the most remark- 

 able as yet recorded with respect to the fertility of hybrids. 

 The fact (as confirmed by himself and Dr. Goodacre) is of 

 interest as giving another proof that sterility is no criterion 

 of specific difference, since the two species of goose now 

 shown to be fertile inter se are so distinct that they have 

 been placed by some authorities in distinct genera or sub- 

 genera. 



The following letter refers to Mr. Huxley's lecture : " The 

 Coming of Age of the Origin of Species," * given at the 

 Royal Institution, April 9, 1880, published in * Nature,' and 

 in 'Science and Culture,' p. 310 :] 



C. Darwin to T. H. Huxley. 



Abinger Hall, Dorking, Sunday, April n, 1880. 

 MY DEAR HUXLEY, I wished much to attend your Lec- 

 ture, but I have had a bad cough, and we have come here to 

 see whether a change would do me good, as it has done. 

 What a magnificent success your lecture seems to have been, 

 as I judge from the reports in the Standard and Daily News, 

 and more especially from the accounts given me by three 

 of my children. I suppose that you have not written out 

 your lecture, so I fear there is no chance of its being printed 

 in extenso. You appear to have piled, as on so many other 

 occasions, honours high and thick on my old head. But I 

 well know how great a part you have played in establishing 



* This same " Coming of Age " was the subject of an address from the 

 Council of the Otago Institute. It is given in ' Nature,' February 24, 

 1881. 



