£7. 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- 
ee 
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. 
