i868.] PUBLICATION. 257 



during the last week only few revises came, so that I have 

 rested and feel more myself. Hence, after our long mutual 

 silence, I enjoy myself by writing a note to you, for the sake 

 of exhaling, and hearing from you. On account of the 

 index,* I do not suppose that you will receive your copy till 

 the middle of next month. I shall be intensely anxious to 

 hear what you think about Pangenesis ; though I can see how 

 fearfully imperfect, even in mere conjectural conclusions, it 

 is ; yet it has been an infinite satisfaction to me somehow to 

 connect the various large groups of facts, which I have long 

 considered, by an intelligible thread. I shall not be at all 

 surprised if you attack it and me with unparalleled ferocity. 

 It will be my endeavor to do as little as possible for some 

 time, but [I] shall soon prepare a paper or two for the Lin- 

 nean Society. In a short time we shall go to London for ten 

 days, but the time is not yet fixed. Now I have told you a 

 deal about myself, and do let me hear a good deal about your 

 own past and future doings. Can you pay us a visit, early in 

 December ? .... I have seen no one for an age, and heard 

 no news. 



. . . About my book I will give you a bit of advice. Skip 

 the whole of Vol. L, except the last chapter (and that need 

 only be skimmed) and skip largely in the 2nd volume ; and 

 then you will say it is a very good book. 



1868. 



[' The Variation of Animals and Plants ' was, as already 

 mentioned, published on January 30, 1868, and on that day 

 he sent a copy to Fritz Miiller, and wrote to him : — 



" I send by this post, by French packet, my new book, the 

 publication of which has been much delayed. The greater 

 part, as you will see, is not meant to be read ; but I should 

 very much like to hear what you think of ' Pangenesis,' though 

 I fear it will appear to every one far too speculative."] 



* The index was made by Mr. W. S. Dallas ; I have often heard my 

 father express his admiration of this excellent piece of work. 



