My dear Sir

I am much obliged for your interesting letter about the human ear.¹ I do not know at all what to think about the higher position of the ear in the old Egyptians; but it is evidently a point worth attending to. The astronomer Jansen sent me a message the other day that he had observed something very curious about the ear-lap or ear-lobe (as I understood the message) in some of the native races of India.² He said he would write to me; and if I hear, I will communicate with you, should the fact prove curious. Could you get any observations made at what period the ear of the human fœtus becomes folded? This seems to be worth enquiry, as in a photo. of an embryonic orang, the ear is pointed, i.e, not folded, like the outline of Rubens’ picture which you sent me.³ I thought M^r. Lankester was in Leipzig, and I sent him my thanks for his last letter through D^r. Nitzsche.⁴ Please to say to M^r. Lankester that his idea about the ear-lobe and the stretching of the ears by the Botocudos passed through my mind; but I banished it as too bold.⁵ Lastly be so kind as to thank Prof. Müller for his kind note, and book, which I have no doubt I shall find at home on my return next week.⁶ I am particularly obliged to him for having marked the passages which more especially concern me.

My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin