From W. S. Dallas   9 June 1868

My dear Sir

Your letter of the 2^d. Ins^t. enclosing Fritz Müller’s remarks reached me only this morning, my son having I suppose, got tired of calling at the Museum in my absence & finding no letters, seems to have omitted the form for a day or two which will account for the delay.—¹ I hope you have not been anxious about it.—

Müller’s alterations & additions are indeed very scanty, but still enough to justify the statement that the work has “additions & corrections by the author”—

We have got so far into the year now that I fear I can do but little at present to the translation & I shall be so pressed for the next two months, that I think it will be better to let the translation stand over until I can give my undivided attention to it.— The whole business, translation & printing ought not to take more than a month, so that if we begin in September the book can easily be out in the early part of November, which, I should say, with M^r. Murray,² would be a much better time for its publication than the middle of the holiday time at which it would appear if I could push forward with it at once.—

I am glad to hear that the Index to your book is looked upon as a good one.—³ It is some little gratification to learn that this is the case, although even if my name was connected with it, the honour would be rather like that of some ragged street urchin riding behind the King’s coach.—

The progress of the work itself must be very gratifying to you,—five translations in so short a time is indeed great progress.—⁴

You have no doubt seen Häckel’s book, which strikes me as being, although rather speculative one of the most remarkable books of our time.— Would the Ray Society publish a translation of it do you think?⁵

With best wishes for your health & continued progress

Believe me | Your’s very truly | W. S. Dallas

C. Darwin Esq