Sir

I have just seen an article by you in the Gardeners Chronicle, & I observe that you are a member of an Agricultural Soc^y. ² I am very anxious for information on one point in Natural History, & it has occurred to me that you might perhaps be willing to oblige a stranger, who is an old correspondent of the Chronicle, & a friend of the Editor, D^r. Lindley.³ But you may not have time or inclination, & if I receive no answer to this, I am sure that I shall have not the least reason to complain, but rather to apologise for the liberty which I take in addressing you.—

My question refers to the colours of Horses, for I am trying to investigate the laws of inheritance of colours.— I have seen it stated in print that the Horses of Hungary, frequently have a dark stripe down the spine & sometimes a stripe on shoulders (sometimes double) like that on the ass, & sometimes cross stripes on the legs. I am anxious to know whether this really is the case, & whether such stripes occur frequently either on the shoulders, or on the front or hind legs or on both.

I sh^d. wish to know, by comparison with some object, the colour of any horse with such stripes. But what I most want to know, & which I have in vain endeavoured to find out, is whether such stripes are plainer in the foal or in the full-grown horse. In England such stripes are observed only on dun-coloured horses (By dun I mean dark cream-colour mixed with some brown), but I have not been able to find out what the colours of the parents were; whether the crossing of any other two colours will produce a dun.—⁴

As Hungary is a great horse-breeding country, perhaps you could find out something on these heads, from persons on whom you could rely; & if you are willing to oblige me by taking so much trouble, it will be a very great favour & kindness,

& I beg leave to remain, Sir, | Your obliged servant | Ch. Darwin