Summary

Despite HBJ’s good aid, CD’s stomach will not permit a visit.

Summary

JM informs CD that he will have Clowes give him written assurance that the printing [of Descent] will proceed without interruption.

The [Franco-Prussian] War is a sad damper on international science and his publishing plans.

Summary

Wishes to visit Down.

Summary

Thanks for Cirripedia. Sorry CD has had to buy the books.

Summary

A note to inform CD that ELY has sent his earlier letter [7324] to the Athenaeum, being unsure of CD’s address.

Summary

CD did not promise Appleton stereotypes of text [of Descent]; only of cuts.

Wishes to know which passage JM thought "coarse". Remembers only a quotation from John Hunter on courtship of female being required "to give her desires" [Descent 1: 273]. He fancied a quotation rendered the sentence less coarse.

Summary

Bentham has translated Miquel’s Sumatran supplement to his Flora van Nederlandsch Indie. It should be published. What does CD think is best vehicle? Nature is wretched and too ephemeral. What about Popular Science Review?

Summary

Pleased CD is quoting him in Descent.

Summary

Is sending by this post three sheets and will send another tomorrow thus almost completing the part on birds. His congratulations and thanks for PLS’s labours with them.

Summary

Is sending some books for the Linnean Society Library.

Summary

Requests CD write in support of Government pension for her husband, George Cupples.

Summary

Sends CD some Indian corn seeds to demonstrate the extreme effect sometimes producible on progeny by the mutilation of a parent.

Writes of a recent book.

Summary

Louis Agassiz’s ill health means AG will not get an answer to CD’s query from him. Suggests CD ask Agassiz’s son, Alexander.

Has no details about the origin of the cat-like behaviour of his dog.

Summary

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

Summary

Notes the differences in haemoglobin between species; this proves, to WP, that natural selection does not act only on morphological development.

Remarks on the differences and similarities in the effects of prussic acid on different groups of animals.

Questions CD on his early education and influences.

Summary

The "man-essay" [Descent] is "very interesting but very difficult".

Cat-like behaviour in dogs.

Thanks for information from Louis Agassiz;

wishes he could feel he deserves what Alexander Agassiz says of him.

Summary

Has completed a memoir on the Aymara Indians of Bolivia [J. Ethnol. Soc. n.s. 2 (1870): 193–305] and is going to lecture on them.

Believes he has data relevant to CD’s work on man.

Summary

CD finds JT’s discourse "grand and most interesting" [On the scientific use of the imagination (1870)]. Flattered by what JT says about him.

He is "a rash man to say a good word for Pangenesis for it has hardly a friend among naturalists".

CD is much struck with what JT says about "pondering" and delighted by his "as if" argument.

Summary

Has read WO’s paper [see 7361] with great interest. If WO’s views are confirmed he will be able to explain many odd little details about the colouring of animals.

Can WO observe if the platysma myoides is brought into strong action in people suffering from severe dyspnoea?

Summary

Responds to note about the MS [Descent] with great interest and promises to obey his instructions. [See 7124.]