Summary

[Notes on conversations with J. D. Hooker.] Geographical distribution; diffusion and distribution of species. Island and mountain floras; means of migration (high-roads, icebergs).

Summary

Published as an appendix to vol. 2 of the Correspondence; see https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/tags/about-darwin/family-life/darwin-marriage. Considers his options for the future. Debates marriage and the best place to live. Feels the need for experiment and direct observation which would be difficult living in London; he "could not go on as Lyell does correcting & adding up new information to old train".

Summary

Published as an appendix to vol. 2 of the Correspondence; see https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/tags/about-darwin/family-life/darwin-marriage. Debates with himself the pros and cons of marriage. Considers plans for future.

Summary

CD and ED bequeath an annuity of £50 to J. Parslow [the Darwins’ butler].

Summary

Obliged for the note of reference, but does not know what to think of the statement about the watering mouth.

Summary

Thanks for gift of a book, and offers to send copy of Expression.

Summary

Thanks an unidentifiable natural history society for electing him an honorary member.

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Notes on CD’s Expression.

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Cancelled: enclosure to S 9290.

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Has pleasure in signing the [missing] enclosure, with every word of which he fully agrees.

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Discusses two factors possibly causing modification of body or mind of an organism; habit and direct action of external conditions on the one hand, and selection, natural or artificial, on the other; considers their relative importance.

Summary

Sends a letter from William Huggins about a case of inherited fright in three generations of mastiffs. Discusses the different origins of instincts and their inheritance.

Summary

Thanks recipient for a photograph.

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Orders a copy of the St Paul’s Magazine for February.

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Extract from the Honolulu Gazette on the decreasing population of the Sandwich Islands.

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Recounts instances suggesting that animals have a sense of direction.

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In reply to a query [in Nature 19 (1879): 433] CD reports that vessels full of water were kept on the deck of a ship to discourage rats from gnawing holes in the ship’s water casks.

Summary

Comments on article ["Perception and instinct in lower animals", Nature 7 (1871): 377–8].

Explains his contention that "many of the most wonderful instincts have been acquired, independently of habit, through the preservation of useful variations of pre-existing instincts". Cites examples: sterile workers of several species of social insects have acquired different instincts; movements of tumbler pigeons. Speculates that "many instincts have originated from modification or variations in the brain".

Summary

"The following fact with respect to the habits of ants, which I believe to be quite new, has been sent to me by a distinguished geologist, Mr J. D. Hague [see 8788]; and it appears well worth publishing."

Summary

"I was born in the town of Shrewsbury Feb. 12, 1809."