My dear Falconer

Whilst I think of it let me tell you that years ago I remember seeing in the Museum of the Geolog. Soc. a tooth of Hippopotamus from Madagascar: this on geographical and all other grounds ought to be looked to.¹ Pray make a note of this fact. We have returned a week ago from Ilkley, and it has done me some decided good. In London I saw Lyell (the poor man who has “rushed into the bosom of two heresies”) (by the way I saw his celts, and how intensely interesting)² and he told me that you were very antagonistic to my views on species. I well knew this would be the case. I must freely confess the difficulties and objections are terrific; but I cannot believe that a false theory would explain, as it seems to me it does explain, so many classes of facts. Do you ever see Wollaston; He and You would agree nicely about my Book,³ —ill-luck to both of you. If you have anything at all pleasant for me to hear do write; and if all that you can say is very unpleasant, it will do you good to expectorate. And it is well known that you are very fond of writing letters.⁴ Farewell my good old friend and enemy.

Yours very sincerely | Charles Darwin

Do make a note about the Hippopotamus. If you are such a gentleman as to write pray tell me how Torquay agrees with your health