Dear Sir

I am very glad to be able to give you what ever further information in my power on the subject you request, but it is rather difficult at this distance of time to be perfectly certain of all the details. As regards the first point—the congelation was simply to deaden the pain & the thumb was cut off with scissors— the wound was a long time healing & I cannot distinctly remember how far there was any prominence left or when it began to grow—

I only remember we were disappointed at its not having been done more effectually & thinking another operation w^d. be necessary. I do not think there is any prominence of bone beneath the nail   If at any time you were in London or anywhere convenient my son w^d. be most happy to show you his hand & let you judge for yourself—¹

I thought since I wrote to Lady Lubbock you w^d. be glad to know of another curious case of a school fellow of another son of ours at Charter House by name Smith who it appears has 6 digits on each foot as well as on his hands. He has to have his boots made very broad at the toe the extra digits are on the little finger— (He is nicknamed hexagon)   His parents are dead & his uncle is his guardian so it may be more difficult to get at the particulars, but his house tutor

Rev^d. J. Evans

Charter House

Godalming

Whom I saw last night said he was sure the boy w^d. not mind giving you any information on the subject he c^d. & if you enclose a letter to his address I have no doubt he will do what he can in helping you to get the information.² He said he had not seen his feet himself but going into the boy’s dormitory the other night he heard Smith exclaim “by Jove its growing again” which gave him the impression he must have had another operation   I sh^d. like much to know to which case you refer in which y^r accuracy has been attacked   In “the Descent of Man” there are no special cases of supernumerary digits given I think?³ believe me

y^rs. truly | Alice Lane Fox