Summary

Thanks JP for his book Vesuvius [1869].

Summary

No paradox that unimportant characters are important systematically. This view removes heavy burden from CD’s shoulders. Relief that JDH does not object.

Summary

Does not fact that characters important in systematics are often of no use, corroborate CD’s view that such characters, if not detrimental, may persist ad infinitum?

Social news.

Summary

Has heard that book by Alphonse M[ilne]-Edwards [? Recherches anatomiques et paléontologiques, 4 vols. (1867–71)] is excellent.

Asks when horns appear on young male fallow deer.

Summary

Finds JDH’s comments of utmost value. Answers some questions, and asks new ones. Transmission of variations. Relation of uniformity of structure to natural selection.

Summary

Thanks for copy of MS’s book [On molecular and microscopic science, (1869)]. Part on orchids is an excellent summary.

Summary

Thanks CC for two memoirs [see 6575. The other was possibly "Die Cypris-ähnliche Larve der Cirripedien", Schr. Ges. Beförd Naturw. Marburg (1869)].

Haeckel is too enthusiastic and too bold in drawing conclusions.

CD sees no reason to add to what he says on isolation, in new edition of Origin.

Lists specimens he has available for CC’s intended study of metamorphoses of Lepas.

Summary

Discusses the development of horns in reindeer and other deer.

Summary

Thanks JO for intending to dedicate his The Andes and the Amazon to him.

The discovery of marine shells high up the Amazons CD finds extremely interesting.

Summary

Replies to CD’s questions. Advice on use of term "morphology". Is much struck by CD’s idea that uniformity of an organ throughout a group implies functional inutility; the paradox of this position for classification.

Summary

Response to letter about dedication of Malay Archipelago and several scientific papers.

Changes in 5th ed. of Origin.

Now feels individual differences of paramount importance. Fleeming Jenkin has convinced him about "single variations".

Summary

Dedication of Malay Archipelago to CD.

Comments on scientific papers.

Summary

Returns book with thanks. "Joyfully accepts" idea of the warming of Southern Hemisphere during glacial period in the Northern. Lyell is unwilling.

Mentions H. N. Moseley’s study of descent of glaciers [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

CD greatly troubled by problem of age of the earth and calculations of Sir William Thomson. Asks about changes in the form of the globe.

Summary

Argues that [general variability] of species, not single variations or sports, is basis for modification and adaptation to new conditions.

Summary

Thanks GM for offer of observations. Would be interested to know when the horns of merino rams first appear,

and has long wished for living specimens of Drosophyllum.

Summary

On development of horns in fawns of fallow deer.

Summary

In Gibraltar he will make notes on merino lambs and Drosophyllum as CD requests.

Summary

Sends CD another piebald potato and a spray of holly, from Mr Fish, discussed in Gardeners’ Chronicle of 22 Jan [1869, p. 83].

Summary

Is assembling apparatus of lenses and reflector to observe flower from opening to first shedding of pollen, and to determine whether fertilisation is by night- or day-feeders.

Will also examine reasons for absence of nectar in Polygala linaria.

Summary

Describes Drosophyllum and its habitat.