Sir

I am a “dog fancier” and engaged as a newspaper critic on the merits of dogs exhibited at all our important shows— There is in what I may call our “fancy” a vexed question as to dew-claws, and although I have diligently sought by enquiry of our most intelligent exhibitors—surgeons—and veterinary surgeons—&c to discover the origin cause and use—if any—of these appendages I have utterly failed and now in my extremity I take the great liberty of appealing to you for help, wh I beg you will pardon although you may not be able to find time in the midst of your engrossing occupations to answer me¹

I am sending to you by this post a copy of “The Country” newspaper where at page 37 you may find a letter on the subject signed “Sirius” written by me and wh will show you the state of the question among us non-scientific folk, and if you will be so good as favour me with your views and opinions on dew claws I will be greatly obliged and if you do so I may say you would further give satisfaction and pleasure to thousands of breeders and lovers of the dog by permitting your opinion to be published with the weight of your name attached²

I have consulted your published works but have failed to find the information on this special point which I now seek—

I may add that the newspapers I write for are “The Country” and “The Field”³

Yours obed^ly | Hugh Dalziel

D^r Darwin | Beckenham