[page]

350 DARWIN (Charles)

Very important A. L. s., 5 pp., 8vo, Down, 28 May [no year], to Armand De Quatrefages, respecting Quatrefages' criticisms of Darwin's Origin of Species.

I can truly say I would rather be criticised by you in this manner than praised by many others. I agree with some of your criticisms, but differ entirely from the remainder ; but I will not trouble you with any remarks. I may, however, say that you must have been deceived by the French translation as you infer that I believe that the Parus and the Nuthatch (or SITTA) are related by direct filiation. I wished only to show by an imaginary illustration how either instincts or structure might first change. If you had seen Canis Magellanicus alive, you would have perceived how foxlike its appearance is, or if you had heard its voice, I think, you would never have hazarded the idea that it was a domestic dog run wild; but this does not concern me. It is curious how nationality influences opinion," etc.