Darwin Correspondence Project

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

Jan. 28th

Dear Sir

I thank you very sincerely for your interesting note & answers to my queries. I am also much obliged for Mr Murray's paper; (returned by this Post) but the interest of this paper to my mind is much enhanced or rather almost wholly depends on a sentence in your note, viz. ``Yet the same species of Lice infest the different varieties of Fowl, pigeon & dog.'' Now as I understand this, you have never observed distinct varieties of the same species of Pediculus on different domestic varieties.— If, as is probable, I allude to this subject, I shd. like to quote on your authority this statement. But then (though I am ashamed to give so much trouble) I shd be glad to know whether you have often looked to the vars. of our domestic mammals & birds. It is not probable, but if you have ever received pediculi from the domesticated animals inhabiting distant lands, or recently brought from such lands & have found them the same, this wd. add immensely to the value of the statement, I presume you have not attended to the domestic vars. of other animals, besides Fowls, Pigeons & Dogs. I fear that you will think me very troublesome; pray excuse me & believe me—

Yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin