Summary

He was chagrined to read in Descent CD’s statement that smallpox vaccine has saved thousands of lives. He has found no scientific reason to believe in the prophylactic effect of the vaccine. In epidemic of 1870–1, smallpox killed more vaccinated persons than were killed by cholera, against which there is no vaccine, in 1853–4. Cites the difficulties in arriving at a conclusive proof of vaccine’s effectiveness.

Summary

CD’s theory has his qualified support.

He suggests the inheritance of syphilis as an example of sexual selection.

Gives an example of inherited expression in his wife’s and daughter’s frowns.

Summary

Experiments on sensitive plants.

Summary

CD’s son Horace wishes to continue at Easton and Anderson’s Works. CD trusts they will not bind him to long hours of work as this would be against medical advice.

Summary

Returns FDeC’s certificate for the Royal Society signed.

Summary

Reply to CD’s letter in Nature ["Flowers of the primrose", Collected papers 2: 183–4]. She has a canary that eats primroses.

Summary

Thanks for the acid digestion experiments, which can be printed as they are. CD trying Drosera on dentine and enamel.

Summary

Would like to see C. S. Wake’s paper ["Marriage among primitive peoples", Anthropologia 1 (1873–5): 197–207].

Will return L. H. Morgan’s work [? Systems of consanguinity (1871)].

Murray suggests Macmillan’s are more likely to reprint JFMcL’s Primitive marriage.

Summary

Thanks Nature correspondents for their observations on destruction of primroses [Nature 9 (1874): 509; 10 (1874): 6–7]. Reports an error in his observations: ovules, as well as nectar, are taken by the birds. As the habit of cutting off primrose flowers is widespread, CD concludes it is instinctive in bullfinches.

Summary

Studying glacial drift in NW. England, he finds evidence of intense glacial activity, but the molluscan fauna does not appear to indicate a low sea temperature. Requests information on Tierra del Fuego molluscs for comparison.

Summary

Has left Delamere and settled on the Isle of Wight.

Summary

Thanks for issue of Anthropologia. Would be pleased if CD would write to Murray on his behalf.

Summary

Would be interesting to discuss political economy in light of evolution. Recommends Walter Bagehot Physics and politics [1872] and Descent in which source of moral sense is discussed.

Summary

Encloses a report on state of appeal for Naples Zoological Station.

Summary

Regrets he cannot comply with request because of his work and poor health.

Delighted to have seen correspondent’s "wonderful experiment" at Royal Society.

Summary

CD is rather disappointed by the money raised for Dohrn. Had hoped for £700–800.

Summary

Recommends that JM consider publishing a new edition of J. F. McLennan’s Primitive marriage [1865]. CD considers it very valuable and not too indelicate.

Summary

Interested in TMR’s investigation of drift. Narrative 1: 545–6 contains catalogue of shells collected. Much struck by marine productions of Tierra del Fuego.

Summary

Encloses, for examination, residue from skim-milk which has been on the glands of Drosera. Asks TLB to confirm his views on action of Drosera secretion on milk. Asks about effects of pepsin and hydrochloric acid in digestive juice.

Summary

Has just finished new editions of Descent

and Coral reefs.

Is working on a book almost wholly on Drosera; thinks he has made some discoveries.

Will never have strength and life to complete more of the series of books related to Origin.