My dear Sir

I am very much obliged for y^r kind letter; & am much pleased that you have been interested in my Descent of Man—¹

I have been glad to hear about the monkey throwing stones.² The photos of the skulls seem very curious, but as I have never attended much to skulls & as it is a pity that such interesting drawings should be wasted, I will send them to Mr Busk who will appreciate them better than any one else in England.³

I shall feel much obliged for any observations which you may be inclined to communicate to me; & I heartily wish so excellent an observer had less of his time taken up with routine work—

I published, a year ago, a new, & I hope, much improved ed. of my Origin of Species,⁴ & I have thought that you might like to possess a copy & will therefore send one.

Pray believe me | dear Sir | yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin

P.S. As you are so kind as to offer me information,⁵ will you observe & tell me, whether during rainy weather, (or at other times in damp & shady valleys) the worms throw up on the grass-lawns or plains, or in the woods many vermiform castings or little heaps of their earthy excrement? You will remember the appearance of lawns in the Spring & autumn in Europe.— In India I hear that the ground is covered during the rainy season with gigantic castings.—⁶ Is Australia too dry for the worms thus to act?

I have opened my letter to insert this, & sh^d. be grateful for an answer—