My dear Fox.

I was very glad to get your note & congratulate you on your triumph about the Scotch Deer Hound, which however I do not know by sight.—¹ How I wish I further knew (can you find out for me) whether the real Scotch Deer Hounds breeds true; but I suppose this must be the case, whether or no your mongrel would do so.² This seems to very valuable case for me, for it would be a most bold hypothesis to imagine that the real Scotch Deer Hound was a pure & distinct aboriginal race, but that your mongrel,, though identical in appearance, was essentially different: I do not even know what a common Deer Hound is.—

Many thanks for your continued remembrance of me & my poultry skeletons: I am making some progress & have been working a little at their ancient History & was yesterday in the British Museum getting old Chinese Encyclopedias translated.³ This morning I have been carefully examining a splendid Cochin Cock sent me (but I sh^d. be glad of another specimen) & I find several important differences in number of feathers in alula,⁴ primaries & tail, making me suspect quite a distinct species.—⁵ I am getting on best with Pigeons, & have now almost every breed known in England alive: I shall find, I think great differences in skeleton for I find extra rib & dorsal vertebra in Pouter.—⁶

I have just ordered the Cottage Gardener:⁷ M^r Tegetmeier is a very kind & clever little man; but he was not authorised to use my name in any way, & we cannot be said to be working at all together; for our objects are very different, & he began on skulls before I had thought on subject: I have not yet looked at our pickled chickens & hardly know when I shall, for I have my hands very full of work; but they will come in some day most useful, as will a large series of young Pigeons, which I have myself killed & pickled.—⁸

I sh^d be very glad of old Sebright Bantam.—

I have been in London nearly all this week, working at Books⁹ & we had at Erasmus’s a very pleasant dinner & sat between M^r. & M^rs. Bristowe & was charmed with both.¹⁰ Bristowe often so reminds me of you some 25 years ago in certain expression of face & manner. They told me you had been far from well: why did you not mention yourself? Do not I always prose at good length about myself & pursuits. So I will say that my stomach has been better for some months than average, & I am able decidedly to work harder.— My sisters are pretty well: you heard of D^r. Parkers release about 2 months ago.—¹¹

How I do wish I had you nearer to talk over & benefit by your opinions on the many odds & ends on which I am at work. Sometimes I fear I shall break down for my subject gets bigger & bigger with each months work.—

My dear old friend | Most truly yours | Ch. Darwin