this I will
correct as well as I can. As yet the publishers have kept up type,
and grumble dreadfully if I make heavy corrections. I am very far from
surprised that "you have not committed yourself to full acceptation" of
the evolution of man. Difficulties and objections there undoubtedly are,
enough and to spare, to stagger any cautious man who has much knowledge
like yourself.

I am now at work at my hobby-horse essay on Expression, and I have been
reading some old notes of yours. In one you say it is easy to see that
the spines of the hedgehog are moved by the voluntary panniculus. Now,
can you tell me whether each spine has likewise an oblique unstriped
or striped muscle, as figured by Lister? (472/2. "Expression of the
Emotions," page 101.) Do you know whether the tail-coverts of peacock or
tail of turkey are erected by unstriped or striped muscles, and whether
these are homologous with the panniculus or with the single oblique
unstriped muscles going to each separate hair in man and many animals? I
wrote some time ago to Kolliker to ask this question (and in relation to
quills of porcupine), and I received a long and interesting letter, but
he could not answer these questions. If I do not receive any answer (for
I know how busy you must be), I will understand you cannot aid me.

I heard yesterday that Paget was very ill; I hope this is not true. What
a loss he would be; he is so charming a man.

P.S.--As I am writing I will trouble you with one other question. Have
you seen anything or read of any facts which could induce you to think
that the mind being intently and long directed to any portion of
the skin (or, indeed, any organ) would influence the action of the
capillaries, causing them either to contract or dilate? Any information
on this head would be of great value to me, as bearing on blushing.

If I remember right, Paget seems to be a great believer in the influence
of the mind in the nutrition of parts, and even in causing disease. It
is awfully audacious on my part, but I remember thinking (with respect
to the latter assertion on disease) when I read the passage that it
seemed rather fanciful, though I should like to believe in it. Sir H.
Holland alludes to this subject of the influence of the mind on local
circulation frequently, but gives no clear evidence. (472/3. Ibid.,
pages 339 et seq.)

LETTER 472. TO W. TURNER. Down, March 29th [1871].

Forgive me for troubling you with one line. Since w