Summary

Asks GB to consider whether it is necessary for the Linnean Society to be so strict about the number of books members may borrow.

Summary

Returns [Fritz?] Müller’s work [probably Für Darwin (1864)]. It is a remarkable memoir.

Summary

Suggests a memorial from Huxley, Murchison, and other geologists on the Gallegos fossils. He will speak privately to Duke of Somerset.

Summary

Lengthy analysis of sources of misunderstanding of natural selection. Advocacy of Spencer’s term "survival of the fittest" instead of "Natural Selection". ARW urges CD to stress frequency of variations.

Summary

Is trying to arrange a new American edition of Origin.

Gives notes on Passiflora acerifolia [on cover].

Summary

Petition earnestly requesting that a ship surveying the Strait of Magellan collect fossil bones in the south of Patagonia.

Summary

All the blocks [for Variation] are now engraved except the rock-dove.

Summary

Sends a draft of memorial to Admiralty [to be signed by geologists and palaeontologists] requesting that an expedition to survey Strait of Magellan collect fossils discovered by Admiral B. J. Sulivan [see 5142].

Summary

CD considers "the survival of the fittest" as alternative term to "Natural Selection". Reflections upon misunderstanding and his own ambiguity.

Health improved; can now work "some hours daily".

Summary

Fritz Müller’s paper ["Notes on climbing plants"] is about to appear [in J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 9 (1867): 344–9]. Would CD approve of figures being reduced in size?

Summary

Sends onion and mint seeds.

Summary

Has taken memorial to G. H. Richards, the Hydrographer. He favours the proposal and will instruct Capt. Mayne. THH will communicate with Dr Cunningham, the naturalist for the expedition.

Summary

Asks CD if he can explain the results of an experiment that produced barley from oats that had been cut down to prevent their flowering.

Summary

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

Summary

Asks for CD’s opinion of the manner of migration of the eye of flatfish.

Summary

4th edition of Origin will soon be bound. Suggests sending copies to scientific periodicals that might notice it. Hopes JM will specify in advertisements that the work is corrected and enlarged. Hopes pages will be cut. Only insanity accounts for this not being done in England.

Summary

Thanks for information about the publication of CK’s lectures.

Discusses the migration of the eye in flatfish.

Summary

Barley growing from old oat stalks.

Summary

About duties in consequence of the death of Catherine Langton, née Darwin.

Summary

Thanks CD for photograph.

JvH will send his notes on origin of species;

he is now writing a paper on glacier period of the New Zealand west coast, and his account of the highly glaciated headwater region of the Rakaia River is being printed.