Ɛpsilon

To T. C. Eyton   11 October [1858]1

Down Bromley Kent

Oct. 11

Dear Eyton

Would you, when out shooting, observe one point for me: it would really cost you hardly any trouble & would greatly oblige me, who have no opportunities; viz, whether in muddy weather any dirt clings to feet of Partridges Pheasants or any birds whatever especially waders.— I have had one or two cases given me with a good deal of dirt; but I suppose it is very rare.— It concerns distribution of plants with small seeds.—2

If not asking too great a favour, I shd. so much like any dirt-clogged cut off feet sent in letter, that I might try with proper precautions, whether any such pellet included any live seed.— Pheasants must, I should think, sometimes have dirt on feet.—

Forgive me asking this favour & believe me | Yours very truly | C. Darwin

1
Dated by the relationship to the letter from T. C. Eyton, 16 October 1858.
2
CD was investigating the various natural means for the dispersal of seeds and ova. He had previously requested Eyton’s assistance with this topic (see Correspondence vol. 6, letter to T. C. Eyton, 31 August [1856]). See also letter to W. E. Darwin, 22 [September 1858].

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

1.4 especially waders] interl
2.1 any] after del ‘the’

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-2338,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-2338