Summary

CD has discovered correspondent intends to present a petition to the House of Commons on which CD’s is the sole signature. Asks that his name be erased unless other signatures are added.

Summary

Sends Dionaea plant for experiment involving temperature.

Summary

Thanks for copy of translation of Variation

and the "admirable work on the microscopical structure of rock" [C. G. Ehrenberg, Mikrogeologische Studien (1873)].

Summary

Is glad JLGK has been interested in Descent.

Thanks him for his observations on monkey behaviour [see 8698]

and drawings of skulls, which CD has sent to George Busk.

Summary

On the vermiform appendix,

snipes breeding in England,

and the horns of crossbred sheep.

Summary

Illustrates, with reference to different species of Gasteria, the role of twisting in the development of leaf arrangement.

Summary

Various observations on sexual selection portion of Descent – ostriches, rosy-billed duck, egrets, rails, etc.

Summary

Thanks CD for comments on Die Kalkschwämme.

Plans trip to Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt.

Discusses work of a Polish translator, Ludwik Masłowski.

Summary

Comments on Expression. Suggests solutions to some of CD’s unresolved problems. Widens the "Principle of Association", whereby gestures associated with one emotion can also come to accompany a second emotion. Confirms the occurrence of blushing in the dark. Considers CD’s use of the "principle of Conservation of Force"; outlines its larger applications.

Summary

Comments on article ["Perception and instinct in lower animals", Nature 7 (1871): 377–8].

Explains his contention that "many of the most wonderful instincts have been acquired, independently of habit, through the preservation of useful variations of pre-existing instincts". Cites examples: sterile workers of several species of social insects have acquired different instincts; movements of tumbler pigeons. Speculates that "many instincts have originated from modification or variations in the brain".

Summary

Has heard from Ashwin Conway Newman of Guy’s Hospital of a case of a child without any prepuce whose father was a renegade, uncircumcised Jew, but whose ancestors had all been Jews. Newman thinks this a good case of inheritance with reversion. JP’s letter [missing] now shows how rash such a conclusion would be.

Summary

Reports on insects fertilising Viola tricolor and on the fertilisation of the two wild forms [see Cross and self-fertilisation, p. 124 n., 125].

Summary

On Nepenthes.

Asks JDH, if he publishes, to mention CD’s work on digestive powers of Drosera so that charges of plagiarism will not be made against CD later when he publishes.

Describes at length his observations on the movements of Desmodium.

Summary

Discusses speech of parrots and starling. [See Descent, 2d ed., p. 85 n.]

Summary

Pleased JSBS has decided to work on Drosera; sends plants. Does not know whether thermo-electric pile could detect temperature change when leaves close.

CD’s experiment with very weak hydrochloric acid repeated with success: the plants digest albumen more quickly.

Summary

Many insects visit Eucalyptus flowers as long as there is pollen to be seen. Asking his colleague, George Masters, to gather insects and flowers at Long Bay for CD.

Observations on wild New Guinea pig in captivity.

Will take CD’s advice to write a book.

Summary

Reports that he has the power of moving his left ear towards the top of his head [see Descent 1: 21].

Summary

Additional errata in Descent.

Summary

Sends three lectures on the origin of human language [see 8962].

Although a "sincere admirer", he differs with CD on the relation of human to so-called animal language.

Summary

Requests permission to translate Descent into Polish.