My dear Galton

Many thanks for your note & your trouble in searching out about the Pigeons.—²

I am most particularly obliged to you for having obtained M^r. Andersson very kind offer of information about the several Breeds of cattle in S. Africa:³ the information will be of real value to me. Please to give to M^r Andersson my cordial thanks. If he will take the trouble I sh^d. be much interested to hear about any difference in the breeds of any other domestic animals, sheep. goats dogs &c &c, kept by the several tribes. I do not at all want long descriptions; a very brief notice w^d suffice for my purpose. Perhaps you would forward this note. i e if my horrid handwriting would be legible by a foreigner. If M^r. Andersson by an extraordinary chance sh^d. know anything about the origins of the breeds, such information w^d. be eminently valuable to me. Do the natives ever procure a choice animal to cross their breeds with? Or do they ever make any selection of any peculiar colour, or any good useful character, & & breed from these? or is the breeding quite promiscuous? In periods of famine, w^d. they make any selection & keep any particular animals as more valuable for breeding up their stock again?— These queries are not altogether vague, but are founded, more or less, on statements which I have heard.— I am really deeply interested on this subject, & shall be greatly indebted to you & M^r Andersson for any information, however slight.

Your’s very truly | C. Darwin