300 MB. H. M. WAI,LIS OK THE GIIOWTH [Mar. 2, 



laughed at about the tips to human ears, I should like to publish in 

 Nature some time your fact. But I must first consult Eschricht ' 

 and see whether he notices this fact in his curious pai)er on the 

 Imiuffo on human embryos ; and, secondly, I ought to look to 

 Mou'keys and other animals -which have tufted ears and observe how 

 the hair grows. This I shall not be able to do for some months, as I 

 shall not be in Loudon until the autumn, so as to go to the Zoological 

 Gardens. But in order that I may not hereafter throw away 

 time, will you be so kind as as to inform me whether I may publish 

 vour observation, if on further search it seems desirable. If you 

 give your permission, may I say that "Mr. Wallis, on carefully 

 examining the ears of an infant, observed that the hairs were 

 directed, «S:c. &c. &c." 



Or, would you prefer my saying that " a (jentleman, on carefully 

 examining, &c. &c. Will you be so good as to send me a line in 

 answer, and I remain, 



Dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 



Charles Dabwin. 



II. 

 March 31st, 1881. Down, 



Beckenham, Kent. 

 Mr. H. M. Wallis. 

 Deab Sib, 



I am much obliged for your interesting letter. I am glad to 

 hear you are looking to other ears, and will visit the Zoological 

 Gardens. Under these circumstances it would be incomparably 

 better (as more authentic) if you would publish a notice of your 

 observations in Nahtre or some scientific journal. Would it not be 

 well to confine your attention to infants, as more likely to retain any 

 primordial characters, and offering less difficulty in observing ? 



I think though it would be worth while to observe whether 

 there is any relation (though probably none) between much hairiness 

 on the ears of an infant and the presence of the " tip " on the folded 

 margin. 



Could you not get an acntrate sketch of the direction of the 

 hair of the tip of an ear ? 



The fact which you communicate about the Goatsucker is very 

 curious. About the difference in the power of flight in Dorkings, 

 &c., may it not be due merely to greater weight of body in the 

 adults ? 



I am so old that T am not likely ever again to write on general 

 and difficult points in the theory of evolution. 



I shall use what little strength is left me for more confined and 

 easy subjects. 



Pray believe me with all good wishes, Dear Sir, 



Yours very faithfully, 



Charles Dabwin. 



1 Escbriobt, D. F., Om Haarenes Eetning paa det Menneskelige Legeme 

 (8vo, Kiobenhavn, 1838), is probably the work referred to. 



