I rapporti con Darwin e Huxley cominciarono ad incrinarsi quando nel luglio del 1871, Mivart scrisse sul "Quarterly Review" un articolo di forte critica al libro di Darwin "The Descent of Man". ###>The book was denounced to the Congregation of the Index, who decided to condemn the book but did not publish the corresponding decree, and consequently, the book was never included on the Index.