To J. D. Hooker   7 August [1869]¹

My dear Hooker

There never was such a good man as you for telling me things which I like to hear. I am not at all surprised that Hallett has found some vars. of wheat could not be improved in certain desirable qualities, as quickly as at first.² All experience shows this with animals; but it w^d. I think, be rash to assume, judging from actual experience, that a little more improvement c^d. not be got in the course of a century; & theoretically very improbable, that after a few 1000^s rest, there w^d not be a start in the same line of variation. What astonishes me, as against experience, & what I cannot believe, is that varieties already improved or modified do not vary in other respects: I think he must have generalised from 2 or 3 spontaneously fixed varieties. Even in seedlings from same capsule some vary much more than others: so it is with sub-varieties & varieties.—

It is a grand fact about Anoplotherium;³ & shows how even terrestrial quadrupeds had time formerly to spread to very distant regions. At each epoch the world tends to get peopled pretty uniformly; which is a blessing for Geology.—

The article in N. British is well worth reading scientifically: George D. & Erasmus were delighted with it.⁴ How the author does hit! It was a euphemism to speak of a fling at you: it was a kick.— He is very unfair to Huxley & accuses him of “quibbling” &c—⁵ Yet the author cannot help admiring him extremely.— I know I felt very small, when I finished the article. You will be amused to observe that geologists have all been misled by Playfair, who was misled by 2 of the greatest mathematicians!⁶ and there are other such cases; so we could turn round & show from Reviewer how cautious Geologists ought to be in trusting mathematicians.—

There is another excellent, original article, I feel sure by M^cClennan, on Primeval man;—well worth reading.—⁷

I do not quite agree about Sabine:⁸ he is unlike every other soldier or sailor I ever heard of, if he would not put his second leg into the tomb with more satisfaction as K.C.B. than as a simple man.— I quite agree that Government ought to have made him long ago: but what does Government know or care for Science.— So much for your splenditious letter.—⁹

We came home this day week; & good Lord, how pleased I was: walking has done me the greatest good & I am above my usual standard of strength. George is nearly well, & Emma better, but not quite right.—¹⁰

I have 3 plants of Drosophyllum in splendid health & flowering. I sh^d much like to hear what you decide on its affinities with Drosera.—¹¹ W^d. you like one or 2 of my plants— I suppose we c^d somehow pack them up?—

Whether you will care to read the enclosed $\frac{1}{2}$ letter I am sure I do not know: you can keep the seed: the monstrosity is like that which you described formerly in Gardeners Chronicle.¹²

Thanks for sheets from Proc. Z. Soc: I knew Elephants did not produce twins; but I stupidly said 3 pairs meaning 3 males & 3 females.¹³ The paper has otherwise been very useful to me.— If you write to D^r Campbell (but not otherwise ) pray ask him whether he knows whether the wild Boar in India is polygamous: I have just written to Sir W. Elliot to ask.—¹⁴

Lastly have you the recent census of India: perhaps Thomson has: would Royal Society have it? I want to see proportion of men to women; but then I must hear whether the census is esteemed trustworthy.—¹⁵

Do you know anything about Lyell,¹⁶ & what he is doing.—

This is a shamefully long letter.

Ever yours | C. Darwin

P.S. Do tell me what I ought to subscribe to the Faraday Memorial: I have never seen an advertisement or list of Subscriptions.—¹⁷