My dear D^r Dohrn

I thank you for your very kind & interesting letter, & I earnestly hope that your health may be restored by your native air.¹ I wrote at once to M^r Murray & he desires me to thank you for your letter, & he will have D^r Lancaster’s account printed & inserted in all future copies of the Guide book.²

The circular about the Stazione has been as yet sent only to Sir C. Lyell, Sir J. Lubbock & M^r Sclater, & they have gladly signed it.³ About subscriptions we of course, as yet, know nothing. I have received the excellent photograph of your building, which is very handsome, & far more imposing than I had imagined. There is to be a grand soirée on the 23^rd at the Royal Soc., & I will try to have it exhibited there. If, as I understand, M^r Balfour sent it, pray thank him for me.⁴

I well remember your letter about Anelasma, & I rec^d some time ago D^r K’s paper on the subject. This case seems to me the most interesting one of gradation ever recorded, viz from an animal with a stomach to one with roots like a plant.⁵ I am delighted to hear that you will examine the complemental males of scalpellum.⁶

With the most earnest wishes for your recovery & for the success of your noble undertaking

I remain | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Aug. 9. I have just received this letter from the dead-letter office. It was directed to you when you were at Sorrento. It is of no use forwarding it to you, but I cannot bear to think that you sh^d suppose that I had neglected yr request, & you will see that M^r Murray will insert D^r Lankester’s account.

This note obviously requires no answer, & I send it merely for my own satisfaction