My dear Fox

The hybrid exhibited some years ago was examined by Owen & showed in its filed hoofs clear proof of artifice. If I go to London I will look at that now shown; but nothing less than dissection & proof that the internal organs & bones were in some degree intermediate would convince me of the possibility of so astounding a hybrid.—¹

You ask about myself; but I cannot give a good account of myself: I am trying under a M^r Headland a course of nitro-muriatic acid, eating no sweet things & drinking some wine:² but it has done nothing for me as yet & I shall go to my grave, I suppose, grumbling & groaning with daily, almost hourly, discomfort. I have begun slowly at my larger book; & this reminds me that I have found a memorandum to the effect that I thought I remembered your saying that the common gander does not always turn white. If you have any positive knowledge will you send me a line; & if I do not hear, I will understand that you have no positive case.—³ Linnæus says the goslings of both dusky & white geese are similar yellow;⁴ Do you know how this is?—

The “origin of species” has made quite a commotion amongst naturalists & I am well contented with its reception. A German edition will appear immediately & two (!) American Editions. So that what is right & what wrong in my Book will soon be sifted & known.—

Like a very bad man that you are, you do not say one word about yourself

Farewell my old friend | Yours affect^ly | C. Darwin

Erasmus, I grieve to say, has not yet quite lost his ague.— ⁵