From George Cupples   15 January 1869

Dear Mr Darwin,

I enclose a letter just now received from Mr M^c.Neill of Colonsay in reference to the deer’s horns.¹ I trust it may be of some definite value, though (as usual with some people) it is discursive and rambling, apparently. I had furnished him with an exact quotation of your queries.²

I await reply from the Forester of Black Mount,³ who, I have no doubt, can tell about all three species.

Mr Wright,⁴ I presume, will communicate direct.

I venture to ask that in Mr M^cNeill’s case (as he wrote previously about the relative sizes of Deerhound dog and bitch) you would send him a line or two in reply.⁵ Not that he expects this—indeed no one could wish to trespass on your time—but he is always ready to serve if he can. He is brother to Lord Colonsay,⁶ and himself a scholarly Highland gentleman, as well as an Edinburgh lawyer of high standing—the author of the portion of Scrope’s book referring to the “long-descended race of Deerhounds”.⁷

At your leisure and convenience you might perhaps return Mr M^cNeill’s letter. Any others I may receive on the question shall not give you such trouble. I do hope they may furnish the facts required—and that the Spring may recruit your health.

Ever truly yours | George Cupples

To | Charles Darwin, Esq. | &c &c—