But the Crossoptilon pheasant, and even the common
pheasant, show that the tail feathers can be developed very early.
Thanks for other facts, which I will reflect on when I go again over my
MS.
I read all that you said about the Dutch Government with much interest,
but I do not feel I know enough to form any opinion against yours.
I shall be intensely curious to read the _Quarterly_: I hope you have
not murdered too completely your own and my child.
I have lately, i.e. in the new edition of the "Origin,"[79] been
moderating my zeal, and attributing much more to mere useless
variability. I did think I would send you the sheet, but I daresay you
would not care to see it, in which I discuss Naegeli's essay on Natural
Selection not affecting characters of no functional importance, and
which yet are of high classificatory importance.
Hooker is pretty well satisfied with what I have said on this head. It
will be curious if we have hit on similar conclusions. You are about the
last man in England who would deviate a hair's breadth from his
conviction to please any editor in the world.
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