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Show 300 MR. H. M. WALLIS ON THE GROWTH [Mar. 2, laughed at about the tips to human ears, I should like to publish Nature some time your fact. But I must first consult Eschricht1 and see whether he notices this fact in his curious paper on the lanugo on human embryos; and, secondly, I ought to look to Monkeys and other animals which have tufted ears and observe how the hair grows. This I shall not be able to do for some months, as I shall not be in London until the autumn, so as to go to the Zoological Gardens. But in order that I may not hereafter throw away time, will you be so kind as as to inform me whether I may publish your observation, if on further search it seems desirable. If you give your permission, may I say that " Mr. Wallis, on carefully examining the ears of an infant, observed that the hairs were directed, &c. &c. &c." Or, would you prefer my savins- that " a gentleman, on carefully examining, &c. &c." Will you be so good as to send me a line in answer, and I remain, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, CHARLES DARWIN. II. March 31st, 1881. Mr. H. M. Wallis. D E A R SIR, I am much obliged for your interesting letter. I am glad to hear you are looking to other ears, and will visit the Zoological Gardens. Under these circumstances it would be incomparably better (as more authentic) if you would publish a notice of your observations in Nature or some scientific journal. Would it not he well to confine your attention to infants, as more likely to retain any primordial characters, and offering less difficult}' in observing ? I think though it would be worth while to observe wliether there is any relation (though probably none) between much hairiness on the ears of an infant and the presence of the " tip " on the folded margin. Could you not get an accurate sketch of the direction of the hair of the tip of an ear ? The fact which you communicate about the Goatsucker is very curious. About the difference in the power of flight in Dorkings, &c, may it not be due merely to greater weight of body in the adults ? I am so old that I am not likely ever again to write on general and difficult points in the theory of evolution. I shall use what little strength is left me for more confined and easy subjects. Pray believe me with all good wishes, Dear Sir, Yours very faithfully, CHARLES DARWIN. 1 Eschricht, D. F., O m Haarenes Eetning paa det Menneskelige Legeme (8vo, Kiobenhavn, 1838), is probably the work referred to. Down, Beckenham, Kent. |