Summary

Forgot to send books.

Saw Miss [Henrietta] Darwin; chastised her for being out when book [Descent] has not yet appeared.

Summary

The Zoological Garden has only one old adult male of Limulus. When there were females, eggs were never observed.

Encloses a separate letter [formerly 7071] about AD’s scheme [for a zoological station].

Suggests AD be cautious [in his work]. "Caution is almost the soul of science."

Summary

JC-B’s essays are the fullest CD has received. His observations on blushing closely agree with James Paget’s. Platysma and horror: Duchenne’s statement doubtful.

Summary

Is glad CD likes the proofs; looks forward to the appearance of his work.

Summary

"I have received a very large box full of beautiful tea from Russia yesterday … my life is as regular & monotonous as a clock.

I make sure, but wofully slow progress, with my new book."

Summary

JO found fossil shells in the Amazon Valley, which discredits Agassiz’s claim of a glacial origin.

Would like Huxley’s opinion of the fossil horse’s tooth from Quito.

Summary

The illness and death of his daughter have delayed his answers to CD’s queries. He has, however, worked on the circulation of the eye and has almost finished a paper on it, which he will send to CD. In general, the views of Charles Bell are confirmed.

As for CD’s second query, he doubts that the relationship exists, but will answer fully in next letter.

Summary

Writes of some observations on the Sandwich Islands.

Summary

Has heard "sad tales" about CD’s forthcoming book [Descent]; does not think even CD can persuade him his ancestors were apes.

Summary

Asks for figures of embryos by A. Ecker and T. L. W. Bischoff to copy [for Descent, ch. 1].

Summary

Could not go up the Niger, as trading steamers are trying to keep their trade in the dark.

Has seen several albinos, but no blushing. Thinks blacks do blush.

Summary

Interim report on the experiments with rabbits [to test Pangenesis].

Summary

W. C. Wells’s theory relating black skin-colour and immunity to malaria may be true. Has seen Negroes come down with fever, but these were generally light in colour.

Summary

Sends CD some notes on the habits of the "American Blight Bird" in New Zealand.

Summary

Reports case of apparent incipient dimorphism. Observations on variations in flower structure, especially style length, within species of Polemoniaceae.

Summary

In his reply to [7227] CD questions the significance of the supposed likeness of the bee, spider, and fly orchids to their presumed namesakes.

He thinks that the beauty of shells is altogether incidental and of no use to the animals.

Summary

Describes his brother Alexander’s discovery of male of Bonellia, a striking example of dimorphism. Encloses a plate with notes on his brother’s work.

The difficulty his wife, Sofya Kovalevsky, has had as a woman in being admitted to Berlin University. Kirchow [Gustav Robert Kirchhoff], at Heidelberg, has taken an interest in her.

Summary

Answers to CD’s queries on expression; observations on the facial expressions of the insane.

Summary

Tells of his health and family matters.

Congratulates CD on being honoured by Oxford.

Discusses the state of Tierra del Fuego and the success of missionaries there.

Summary

Thanks CD for copy of Origin.

Encloses extensive, but incomplete, notes on expression among the insane, dealing specifically with blushing and the actions of the platysma and grief muscles.