Summary

Sends a copy of the paper [with A. R. Wallace, "On the tendency of species to form varieties" (1858), Collected papers 2: 3–19] about which his correspondent asked; CD’s parts were written years ago and not intended for publication; he gave permission for publication of the extracts. Wallace’s paper seems to him excellent.

Summary

Gives directions to Down. Would be happy to see SPW but regrets they "have no attractions".

Agrees about colonisation of Arctic region.

CD thought that his St Helena land shells had quite recently become embedded; his specimens are at the Geological Society.

Can SPW ask A. Günther for any references to Silurus escaping from the Danube?

Summary

Describes her compassion for all his sufferings and writes of her wish that his gratitude could be offered to heaven as well as to herself. To her, the only relief is to try to believe that suffering and illness are from God’s hand "to help us to exalt our minds & to look forward with hope to a future state".

Summary

Suggests procedures for breeding experiments with hollyhocks. Recommends C. F. v. Gärtner [Bastarderzeugung (1849)]. [See also 3151]

Summary

Writes about dealings through John Lubbock regarding [a banking partnership for] WED.

Summary

William Darwin can go to Southampton any time should the banking proposition come to anything. CD is sure he would work hard.

Summary

Discusses feral rabbits of Porto Santo. Arranges for care of rabbits while the Darwins visit Torquay.

Summary

Asks for specimens of Aceras.

Mentions orchid species he has seen. Asks AGM to make observations.

Summary

Sends queries concerning insect fertilisation of Epipactis palustris.

Summary

AG’s review of John Phillips’ book [Life on earth (1860), in Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 31 (1861): 444–9].

Thinks his experiments will explain Primula dimorphism.

Insect fertilisation of orchids.

Wishes that the "greatest curse on Earth", slavery, were abolished.

Summary

Arrangements for a meeting.

Summary

Writes regarding the possibility of banking partnership for WED; second note arranges a meeting between the involved parties in London.

Summary

Asks to meet JL for a final talk about the banking partnership for William Darwin.

Summary

CD regrets he has to turn down an invitation because of his ill health.

Summary

Will look for botanical specimens CD requested.

Tells of a kestrel with a broken leg which apparently was forced to change its diet to worms and snails because of the injury.

Summary

Sends "the dates of the principal events of my Life" requested by EW [for use in his Men of the time (1862)].

Summary

Reports his experiment with fertilising the large periwinkle (Vinca major), which he had never known to produce seed. He found that the pollen could not reach the stigma without the aid of insects, which in England never visit the flower. CD produced seeds by inserting a fine bristle, like the proboscis of a moth. Asks readers to repeat this experiment with other species that do not habitually seed and to report the result.

Summary

His thanks to "Eques" of Argyllshire for his remarkable information on the inheritance of colour in horses. Acknowledges the difficulty of defining dun. Requests further information.

Summary

Thanks BSM for orchid specimens. Discusses various species of Orchis and Ophrys.

Summary

On his father’s crossing experiments with cacti, in which hybrids were found quite fertile.

On his breeding of guinea-pigs.

Sends Miss E. Watts’s message about crested fowls and Brahmas.