To Charles Lyell   29 [December 1859]

My dear L.

You are the man to do work. I am not at all sure what sort of note you required about Blyth, but I enclose one which you could forward.—¹ I have written it splendidly well! If you wish a more formal one I would write it, but then you must tell me how to address it; but I think a note from you with this enclosure would be more effective. It is very good of you to take so much trouble.— I wrote also to Col. Sykes.—²

I suspect article in Times must be Huxley’s.³ I have not had time to read that in Daily news,⁴ which some one (perhaps you) has sent me.

I had a civil note from Chambers himself, saying that he has given brief abstract in his Journal.⁵

I was much surprised (& said so to Owen) at finding the passage in your Book⁶

I have not alluded to supposed British Trias Mammal.⁷

Of course I by no means believe that the mundane Glacial period destroyed all Tropical production, though probably it destroyed many.— I believe the vegetation on the plains was at that period like (as I just allude to but as usual far too briefly) that described by Hooker at foot of Himalaya, in which truly Tropical & Temperate forms now live mingled together. This shows at least possibility of so unexpected a mixture.—⁸ I could have added another instance from part of Mexico.—⁹

Anything on earth that I can do in giving references &c &c will be a real pleasure & duty.

Yours affect^y | C. D.

Had letter this morning from poor Dana at Florence, telling me that my caution to him not to work too hard has proved true—is quite disabled in his head.¹⁰ Hopes to come to England.