My dear Sir

I was prevented on Saturday from settling my query in Piderit’s book but succeeded this morning in getting a meaning, although not a very satisfactory one for my doubtful word.—¹ This was “verbissen” which of course indicates a close compression of the lips & locking of the teeth, but if we translated it so, what would become of the noun “Verbissenheit”.— I find that “verbissen” is taken to mean crabbed & sour in Flügel’s dictionary published in Berlin in 1852 the only one here in which I can find it,² & although “crabbed” does not convey to my mind exactly what I understand by “verbissen” it is perhaps the nearest single word that we can find.—³ I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done.— The book & piece of translation go back by this post.—

I have retained Müller’s book for the present.— If you decide on publishing it I would translate it by degrees & any alterations could be made afterwards to suit Müller’s present views, or notes could be added &c.—⁴

Believe me | Your’s very truly | W. S. Dallas.

C. Darwin Esq