To Edith Evans   28 January 1882

Dear Madam,

You may lay aside the notion as preposterous, of a hybrid having been raised between a cat and rabbit. The tortoise-like colouring of the one individual almost shows that the animal was a cat & of the tailless breed. It has been stated (whether accurately I know not) that the hind legs in this breed are of unusual length.¹

I beg leave to remain, | Madam | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin.