To P. B. Mason   24 March [1871]

Down. | Beckenham | Kent. S.E.

March 24th

Dear Sir

I am greatly obliged for your valuable letter.1 A short time ago I was calling on an eminent physician, & he took off his neckcloth, bared his neck & showed me the platysma in splendid voluntary action.—2

I am much interested by what you say about the hair on the backs of weakly children. Would it be asking too great a favour to beg you to observe during next 6 or 9 or 12 months any case,—giving me particulars of age—sex—space covered with hair—length of longest hairs &c &c. I think a detailed case might be well worth giving.—

Pray believe me Dear Sir | with my best thanks | In Haste | Your’s very faithfully | Ch Darwin

Postmark: MR 24 71

1
Mason’s letter has not been found.
2
CD may refer to William Ogle, whom he saw during a recent visit to London (see first letter to John Tyndall, 1 March [1871] and n. 1). In Expression, pp. 300–1, CD cited Ogle for his observations on movement of the platysma myoides, the sheet of muscle extending from the collar bone to the base of the cheek.

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

0.1 Beckenham] before del ‘Bromley.’
2.3 sex—] interl

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-7615,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-7615