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