Summary

First impressions of Haeckel’s Generelle morphologie.

Has received THH’s [Lessons in elementary] Physiology [1866]

and reread Man’s place.

Asks THH to read revised "Hybridism" chapter in new edition of Origin. Hopes it will change THH’s view.

Convinced of P. S. Pallas’ view of loss of sterility under domestication.

Summary

Anecdotes about appreciation of beauty by animals.

Summary

Responds to CP’s sermon. Corrects CP’s confusion of what CD said about eyes of the Articulata with human eye,

and questions applicability of CP’s mathematical arguments about length of geological time needed for evolution.

Agrees he was foolish about the Wealden, now struck from later editions [Origin, pp. 285–7].

Summary

Thanks for criticism of proofs of his paper [see 5117].

Not sure whether CD believes in reversion and would like a positive statement as this is the one point C. V. Naudin especially observed. Naudin offers his remarks on ovules as a matter to be proved ["Nouvelles recherches sur l’hybridité", Nouv. Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. 1 (1865): 25–176].

Summary

J. H. Balfour gives Scott excellent character reference, but says he is unfit either to superintend or be subordinate.

Herbert Spencer’s review of J. M. Schleiden is interesting [see 4457].

Summary

Drosera and Erica massoni have been sent.

Had heard of Agassiz’s theory but not that CD’s theory had raised it.

JDH wrote the article on A. Murray.

Frankland’s lecture too much for him.

Summary

Asks her to see whether the flowers or leaves of Erica massoni are noted as glutinous in the Botanical Magazine.

Inquires about the pods of peony: are they brilliantly coloured and do birds eat them?

Summary

Will be sure to send the Cytisus and Laburnum blooms when they flower.

Summary

He has had a great struggle with Buckthorn, and would like CD to see the measurements some time.

Summary

WBT’s fowls’ skulls are being engraved; will see pigeon illustration proofs when he can.

Summary

Invites CD to dine and meet Alphonse de Candolle.

Summary

Printing [of 4th edition of Origin] nearly complete. Will print 1000 copies which, at present rate of sale, may last three to five years.

Summary

CD has followed Lyell’s advice and avoided controversy over Origin but encourages BDW to attack S. H. Scudder and others who argue foolishly or misquote him.

Summary

Expresses gratification that JVC is to undertake new translation and revision of German edition of the Origin.

Has heard many complaints about Bronn’s translation. JVC would be justified in omitting Bronn’s appendix.

Suggests additions and changes, including reference to C. W. v. Nägeli’s Entstehung und Begriff [1865], though he disagrees with it.

Summary

Sends flowers of the differing kinds [of Rhamnus?] with observations.

Summary

ARW’s simple explanation of dimorphic forms is satisfactory.

On "non-blending" of certain varieties, CD thinks ARW has not understood him. He does not refer to fertility. He crossed two differently coloured varieties of peas and "got both varieties perfect, but none intermediate". Something like this must occur in ARW’s butterflies.

Summary

No enclosure in JDH’s last letter.

Would like to be amused "for my stomach & the whole Universe is this day demoniacal in my eyes".

Summary

Questions for his lecture on "Insular floras".

Comments on CD’s criticism of Atlantis. Has no fixed opinion on continental extensions. Great objections to hypotheses of CD and Forbes: botanical to CD’s; geological to Forbes’s. Will point out that natural selection is necessary to both hypotheses.

Summary

Comments on MS on seed distribution sent by TB.

Summary

Working on "Insular floras" lecture for BAAS Nottingham meeting [see 5135].

Puzzled at distribution of Madeiran and Canaries plants and insects.

Supports Forbes’s Atlantis hypothesis [see 956], which he has reread and to which he will allude.

Wollaston disappointing on Madeiran insects.