My dear Sir

I send by this post, by French packet, my new book, the publication of which has been much delayed.² The greater part, as you will see, is not meant to be read; but I sh^d very much like to hear what you think of “Pangenesis”, tho’ I fear it will appear to every one far too speculative.³

I am very much obliged for y^r answers, tho’ few in number (Oct 5^th) about expression. I was especially glad to hear about shrugging the shoulders.⁴ You say that an old negro woman, when expressing astonishment, wonderfully resembled a Cebus when astonished; but are you sure that the Cebus opened its mouth?? I ask because the Chimpanzee does not open its mouth when astonished or when listening.⁵ Please have the kindness to remember that I am very anxious to know whether any monkey when screaming violently partially or wholly closes its eyes.⁶

Many thanks for your answers about the Planariæ, & about conspicuous seeds.⁷ By the way one of your seeds of the Pavonia has germinated.⁸ I sent the Solanum-like flower to Hooker, & I believe he has written to you.⁹ How strange it is that the same anomalous reduction of one leaf sh^d occur in several families! Gesneria pendulina (this is the sp. name) is certainly not dimorphic.¹⁰ Your Plumbago is Zeylanica an Indian species, I suppose naturalized with you; it shed its first flower-buds but it is now producing others, & I think it will turn out dimorphic.¹¹ The flowers of Escholzia when crossed with pollen from a distinct plant produced 91 per cent of capsules; when self-fertilized the flowers produced only 66 per cent of capsules. An equal number of crossed & self-fertilized capsules contained seed by weight in the proportion of 100 to 71.¹²

Nevertheless the self-fert. flowers produced an abundance of seed. I enclose a few crossed seeds in hopes that you will raise a plant, cover it with a net, & observe whether it is self-fertile; at the same time allowing several uncovered plants to produce capsules; for the sterility formerly observed by you seems to me very curious.

With sincere thanks for your never failing kindness believe me my dear Sir | yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin

You will find your most valuable observations on self-sterile Orchids given in the second volume.—¹³