Edwin Ray Lankester an Ernst Haeckel, Oxford, 29. Januar 1874
Exeter College
Oxford
Jan. 29th
My dear Professor Haeckel,
I have to thank you very much for the separate copies you have lately sent me & especially for that on the Gastraea theory in which you have spoken so kindly of my short essay.
The translation of the Schopfungsgeschichte will I hope soon be out of my hands – it takes longer to put all right – than one thinks at first, and I || have so many other things to do I hope to put the Gastraea theory into the Quart. Journal Micr. Science. What do you think of Rhabdo-pleura?
You were good enough to say you would send me some remarks on Bastian’s book. I should really be most pleased to have them to publish in the Journal, and hope you can send them at once. I intend to go to Naples in March in order to continue the development of Loligo. Some one ought to shew whether Actinia || has or has not an invaginate Gastrula. Foll seems to doubt it. I am most deeply grieved to hear of the death of Max Schultze. He was good for much more work.
Huxley is now since 4 months in much improved health. He eats very little and takes a great deal of exercise. He never touches alcoholic drinks – but still smokes. He is becoming quite thin as he was when a young man.
Believe me dear Professor Haeckel
Sincerely yours E. Ray Lankester