Dear Sir

I received some time ago your last kind note.² I forwarded your thanks & wish for the Leg-Bones to the Earl at his old castle of Chillingham.—³ This morning I received a very long, kind & interesting letter from him, saying that the leg-bones shall be sent with the other. But he adds that perhaps they will not be sent off very soon, as they are forced to be very careful about slaughtering them. The Earl remarks with truth on the strong probability of these cattle being remnants of the wild cattle, preserved from time immemorial in the Parks of unknown antiquity at Chillingham & the Duke of Hamilton’s.—⁴

Have you heard of a most extraordinary domestic Pig, now living in the Zoological Gardens of London from Japan. It is most extremely unlike any other Pig in appearance; & D^r Gray of the British Museum has just read a paper (as he tells me) before the Zoolog. Soc. on its skull, which differs much from all common pigs.—⁵ It certainly seems to be quite new & a distinct species.—

I hope & expect to hear when the skulls are sent off from Chillingham, & when I hear I will let you know.—

With much respect I remain Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin