Summary

First portion of Variation MS has been set up. Murray will not decide on number to be printed until he has read a good portion. The agreement applies only to the first edition.

Summary

On cost of electrotypes from woodcuts for Variation and price to charge Schweizerbart.

Summary

Schweizerbart anxious to get Variation sheets for German translation. Hopes he has found a good indexer in W. S. Dallas.

Summary

He is unacquainted with Brehm’s work [Thierleben]. Asks that a volume be sent so he can form an opinion on publishing it.

Summary

William Clowes [printer for J. Murray] estimates that Variation will come to a first volume of 648 pages and a second volume of 624 pages – which is too much for volumes the same size as Origin. Murray proposes a larger size.

Summary

CD should not be discouraged by the bulk of Variation. CD’s suggestion to print technical details in small type is good.

Murray has sent MS to a "man of letters and good information" as an experiment to test its effect. Has no intention of throwing up publication.

Summary

Agrees that new title of Variation is an improvement. Now thinks 1500 copies a safe number to print.

Summary

Sends Dallas’ specimen of indexing [for Variation].

Asks CD’s opinion of likelihood of a hybrid of ass and bull, reported in a MS of a journey to Asia Minor he is reading.

Summary

JM will publish [Variation] "coute qui coute", paying CD half the profits.

Thinks he can count on 500 purchases of what he calls the "Pièces Justificatives" of the Origin and will print 750 copies.

His literary friend found it "difficult of digestion".

Summary

Sends CD cheque for £250, two-thirds of the profits on the sale of 700 copies of Origin, 4th ed.

Hopes he has found a suitable indexer for Variation.

Summary

Asks if he should give the clichés of Variation to E. Schweizerbart.

Summary

On ocelli.

Sexual differences and proportion of sexes in butterflies.

Coleoptera.

[See Descent 1: 310; 2: 132.]

Summary

Asks CD’s help in translating names and descriptions of fowls [in Variation].

Summary

JvH forwards J. Stack’s replies to CD’s queries about expression [see Expression, p. 20].

Sends photos of skeletons of six species of Dinornis he is assembling for the Museum.

Summary

Encloses memorandum on Origin [1866]

discussing mimicry in mammals and birds,

abnormal habits shown by birds,

behaviour of cuckoos,

and analogies existing between mammals of the same geographical region.

Speculates on possible lines of development linking groups of mammals.

[CD’s notes on the verso of the letter are for his reply.]

Summary

JVC is having difficulty in translating the names of dogs [in Variation]. Also asks CD for help with names of pigeons.

Summary

Sends copy of book containing measurements taken of individuals of different races during voyage of Novara [Karl Heinrich von Scherzer, ed., Reise der Fregatte "Novara", Anthropologischer Theil (1867)].

Asks for scientific advice concerning newly planned expedition.

Says Carl Vogt plans to use data from book in lectures.