Responds to CD’s queries on Sierra Leone: fertility of European animals introduced to W. Africa, relationship of health and complexion of Europeans, etc.
Discusses the direction of WED’s studies.
Tells of the response to theOriginand the impact that it has made in England and abroad.
Gives observations on the habits of the "agricultural ant" of Texas.
Has received Chauncey Wright’s article.
Reports on favourable response to AG’s pamphlet.
Huxley and CD fear Chauncey Wright’s review is too general.
Reports the praise for AG’s pamphlet.
J. S. Henslow is dying.
Francis Bowen strikes CD as weak and unobservant; presumes he is a metaphysician, which accounts for his "entire want of common sense".
Does wildApocynumcatch flies in U. S.?
AG’s review of John Phillips’ book [Life on earth(1860), inAm. J. Sci.2d ser. 31 (1861): 444–9].
Thinks his experiments will explainPrimuladimorphism.
Insect fertilisation of orchids.
Wishes that the "greatest curse on Earth", slavery, were abolished.
Is writing his paper on orchids.
Is surprised that AG gets little or no response withDrosera.
Describes the two forms ofPrimulaand asks whether AG knows any analogous cases of dimorphism.
Reports that John Stuart Mill approves of CD’s scientific method.
Discusses American politics.
U. S. politics and relations with England.
Wants examples of dimorphism similar toPrimula.
Structure and function ofSpiranthesflower.
Observations and experiments onDrosera.
CD’s views on design.
Discusses observations of his own and of John Torrey on dimorphism, especially inAmsinckia.
Is trying to find specimens ofHoustoniafor CD.
Discusses the worsening relations between their two countries and the possibility of war.
ExpectsOrchidsand hisPrimulapaper [Collected papers2: 45–63] to be out soon.
Thanks AG for some facts on dimorphism.
George Bentham has given him a list ofOxalisandMenthaspecies that are dimorphic likePrimula.
Is in a "thick mud" regarding design in nature.
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