To Sven Nilsson   31 October [1868]1

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

Oct 31st.

Dear and Honoured Sir

I am very much obliged for your great kindness in sending me the reference about the Reindeer through Dr. Hooker.2 When next in London I will consult the work, and should be grateful for any further information from you.3 You will easily perceive that what I wish to ascertain is whether there is any relation whatever between the period of development of a character and its transmission to one sex alone or to both sexes.

I have much pleasure in enclosing my photograph, & if it would not cause you too much trouble I should very much like to possess one of you, as I have a collection of the photographs of eminent naturalists.4

With the most sincere respect | I remain yours sincerely & obliged | Charles Darwin

LS(A)

1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from Sven Nilsson to J. D. Hooker, 25 October 1868.
2
Nilsson sent the reference through Joseph Dalton Hooker (see letter to from Sven Nilsson to J. D. Hooker, 25 October 1868).
3
Nilsson sent the reference through Joseph Dalton Hooker (see letter to from Sven Nilsson to J. D. Hooker, 25 October 1868).
4
CD’s collection of photographs of naturalists has not been found in the Darwin Archive–CUL.

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

2.2 to possess] interl in CD’s hand

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-6438,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-6438