To P. L. Sclater   12 [March 1861]

My dear M^r Sclater

One line to thank you for the Rabbit received safely.¹

I am very glad you like Asa Gray: I fully thought that I had sent you a copy, but have just looked at my list & find that by some accident your name omitted.²

You will receive in short time a copy of my new Edit. (corrected) of the Origin, which Murray tells me he will soon distribute.—³ I am most uncommonly pleased, I can assure you, to hear that you are become “heretical” on species.— I perceived with no surprise that you were at first dead against me: in fact I cannot say that I respect anyone who has knowledge & can change his opinion suddenly on such a point.— If any fair & good opportunity occurs in any publication, I hope that you will say a word on our side: for I observe that those opposed write vehemently, & those on our side are silent; consequently the public have no means of knowing how many are on our side. But day before yesterday I had letter from a Professor, who dares not speak out.— Your note has pleased me very much: though I did not intend to have written all this.

Ever yours | C. Darwin