To Albert Gaudry   21 January [1868]¹

Dear Sir

I thank you for your interesting essay on the influence of the Geological features of the country on the mind & habits of the ancient Athenians, & for your very obliging letter.²

I am delighted to hear that you intend to consider the relations of fossil animals in connection with their genealogy,;³ it will afford you a fine field for the exercise of your extensive knowledge & powers of reasoning. Your belief will, I suppose at present, lower you in the estimation of your countrymen; but, judging from the rapid spread in all parts of Europe, excepting France, of the belief in the common descent of allied species, I must think that this belief will before long become universal. How strange it is that the country which gave birth to Buffon, the elder Geoffroy & especially to Lamarck sh^d now cling so pertinaceously to the belief that species are immutable creations.⁴

My work on Variation &c under Domestication will appear in a French translation in a few months time, & I will do myself the pleasure & honour of directing the publisher to send a copy to you to the same address as this letter.⁵

With sincere respect | I remain dear Sir | yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin