Summary

Would like CD’s opinion on his "theory of organic disturbance" and his "law of organic combination"; hopes CD might notice them in the Academy.

Writes of his unfortunate circumstances.

Summary

His book [Descent] will not be ready for a year because of his health and the laboriousness of work on sexual selection. Has deferred arrangements for German translation, but would feel secure with JVC. Carl Vogt has offered to translate it.

Summary

Carus will soon begin translating 5th ed. of Origin.

Sale of Variation is satisfying.

C. J. Dub will write popular work on CD’s theory.

Gustav Jäger has written on it [Die Darwin’sche Theorie und ihre Stellung zu Moral und Religion (1869)].

Summary

CD passes on notes prepared for the French translation of Orchids so that his book may be brought up to date in English as well.

Summary

Is annoyed that a new French edition of Origin [1870] has been prepared without making use of the corrections CD made in the 5th English edition [1869].

Summary

Sends reference to stridulation in an article about Scolytus by Dr Chapman "Observations on the economy of British species of Scolytus", Entomol. Mon. Mag. 6 (1870): 126–31.

Summary

Further comments on arrangements for German translation of their joint paper.

Summary

Pleased that Julius Dub will publish with ES [Kurze Darstellung der Lehre Darwin’s (1870)].

Would like Gustav Jäger’s brochure [Die Darwin’sche Theorie (1869)].

Summary

Comments on 5th edition of the Origin [1869];

preparation of second edition of Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte [1870].

The reception of CD’s theory. Mentions support of Pieter Harting and Michael Sars.

EH’s research on calcareous sponges and plans to publish monograph on them.

Summary

Reports on his findings in Denbighshire caves ["The Denbighshire caves", Trans. Manchester Geol. Soc. 9 (1869–70): 31–7].

Sends his paper ["On the prae-historic Mammalia in Great Britain", Intellect. Obs. (1868): 403–10].

Has changed his view on the descent of British cattle from the wild aurochs. No evidence that aurochs survived into historic times in Britain.

Summary

Asks CD to send 5th ed. of Origin so Mlle Royer can use it in her work. Regret they have upset CD to the extent that he would reproach them so untowardly.

Summary

Transmits letter [from Fritz Müller].

Has been asked to permit a French translation of Orchids and Journal of researches.

At work on sexual selection.

Summary

Gives account of inherited blindness in a family,

and observations contravening CD’s view in Variation that sheep and other domestic animals never run wild.

Summary

He has gone through the whole embryology of the Crustacea and has arrived at a pretty well-established genealogy of the whole class; has even tried to write a history of the whole tribe. Finds he cannot adopt the old separation of Orders in the Class; the limits between them are indistinct.

Would like to study embryology of Limulus. Asks CD’s help in obtaining a female specimen.

Outlines his proposal to establish a marine zoological station.

Summary

There is no hurry for information. Delighted that FCD is making experiments.

It was a sincere pleasure to make FCD’s acquaintance.

Summary

Weir’s paper on relation of protection to colour of caterpillars [Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6; (1870): 337–9] confirms ARW’s hypothesis.

Summary

A new edition [4th German] of Origin to be published by Schweizerbart. JVC asks CD to send any changes or additions.

Variation has sold two-thirds of the first printing [1868].

Hopes he may do translation of CD’s new work [Descent].

Summary

Describes how the offer of C.B. was made. He declined a knighthood. Murchison and Lyell are trying to get him made Knight Commander of the Star of India, but he does not think there is a chance. The Duke [of Argyll?] might do it, but does not like JDH’s Darwinism.

Next Presidency of Royal Society discussed: all (Brodie, the X Club botanists, et al.) are agreed on Lyell.

Everyone is disappointed with Nature.

What did CD think of "Huxley’s rhapsody on Goethe’s ditto" [Nature 1 (1869): 9–11]?

Summary

DF’s opinion of Gustav Jenzsch’s book [Mikroskopische Flora und Fauna (1868)]. Encloses extract of a letter from Ferdinand Zirkel also mentioning Jenzsch’s work.

Summary

Admires GJ’s book [Die Darwin’sche Theorie (1869)].

Asks about plumage of rejected male pheasant.