From R. I. Thompson   27 April 1871

Dear Sir

‘Descent of Man’ page 44.

In confirmation of your friends statement I beg to inform you that I have a dog of 13 years of age mixed breed or mongrel, which I brought with me from Australia—¹ when quite young he played with a cat & her kittens and from them acquired the habit of licking his feet and cleaning his face which habit he still retains.— I have also noticed other habits such as running round and round after his tail sometimes with the end of it in his mouth, which he evidently imitated from them

I am Dear Sir | Your most ob^d. Servant | R I Thompson

Charles Darwin Esq M.A. F.R.S. | &c &c &c