Summary

Asks HAO about breeds of Tibetan dogs and other domesticated animals.

Summary

Asks for investment advice.

Summary

Comments on EH’s forthcoming [Die Kalkschwämme (1872)].

Thinks EH is working much too hard.

Summary

THF’s article in Nature ["The fertilisation of a few papilionaceous flowers", 6 (1872): 478–80, 498–501] is extremely good.

Suspects he now has answer to why common peas and sweetpeas hardly ever intercross, a point which half drove CD mad for years.

Summary

Has sent CD’s letter to Nature [see 8448].

Expresses admiration for H. C. Bastian’s The beginnings of life [1872] and comments on its bearing upon Origin.

Summary

Replies to C. R. Bree’s letter of 27 July [Nature 6 (1872): 260] contending that CD was wrong about early pedigree of man.

Defends the statement of CD’s view in Wallace’s review [Nature 6 (1872): 237–9] of Bree’s book [Exposition of fallacies … of Darwin (1872)].

Summary

Sends proofs and details [concerning VOK’s Russian translation of Expression (1872)].

Summary

Further reflections upon Bastian’s book [The beginnings of life (1872)].

ARW’s prospects for Directorship at Bethnal Green Museum.

Summary

Expresses his "unbounded admiration" for HS’s article on Martineau ["Mr Martineau on evolution", Contemp. Rev. 20 (1872): 141–54]

and his article on sociology [Contemp. Rev. 19 (1872): 701–18]. CD never believed in the reigning influence of great men on the world’s progress but could not have given his reasons. "Now every one with eyes to see and ears to hear . . . ought to bow their knee to you, as I for one do."

Summary

Rabbits’ coats true in character. If the next ones are true, it is superfluous to keep trying.

Does not know why crying children rub eyes with knuckles.

Mentions FG’s article on prayer ["Statistical inquiries into the efficacy of prayer", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 12 (1872): 125–35].

Summary

HS hopes in the future to show more fully "absolute emptiness" of James Martineau’s propositions; is glad CD approved of his article dealing with JM’s arguments. [J. Martineau, "The place of mind in nature", Contemp. Rev. 19 (1872): 606–23; H. Spencer, "Mr Martineau on evolution", Contemp. Rev. 20 (1872): 141–54.]

Summary

Sends proof-sheets [of Expression].

Is unwell and must stop work and leave home for a time.

Summary

Asks for address of a Mrs Barber somewhere in South Africa.

JDH’s letter in Nature [6 (1872): 516–17] is excellent, and wonderfully quiet.

Severely criticises Owen’s conduct.

Summary

Will consider JVC’s comments on Expression when he prepares a new edition.

Summary

Comments on EH’s criticism of authors in third edition of Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte [1872].

Discusses book by H. C. Bastian [The beginnings of life (1872)].

Summary

Recommends J. C. Houzeau’s Études sur les facultés mentales des animaux [1872].

Was glad to make CW’s acquaintance.

Summary

Quandary caused by Heliotype Company’s failure to deliver enough plates for Expression because of a strike. Murray’s now has 7000 books and only 3000 sets of plates.