My dear Mr. Darwin,—

Having been away for a week’s deer-stalking in the hills, I have only to-day received your letter together with the book. Thank you very much for both, and also for the hints about Espinas and Bartlett.¹ I am glad you thought well of the letter to the ‘Times.’ In a book I shall be able to make more evident what I mean.²

Frank’s idea of ‘a happy family’ is a very good one; but I think my mother would begin to wish that my scientific inquiries had taken some other direction.³

The baby too, I fear, would stand a poor chance of showing itself the fittest in the struggle for existence.

I am now going to write my concluding paper on Medusæ, also to try some experiments on luminosity of marine animals.⁴

Ever sincerely and most respectfully yours, | Geo. J. Romanes.