Summary

Thanks EW for information [on expression] about Australians.

Summary

Is obliged for note on right-handedness. The subject is a very curious one, but CD has never attended to it and can give no additional facts.

Summary

Thanks WBT for tabulation of sex ratios in racehorses.

Summary

Discusses factors possibly influencing the sex of caterpillars. Is gathering information on sex ratios in insects and would welcome any cases in which males seem to outnumber females.

Summary

RT’s argument about the Lasiocampa strikes him as very good; asks for any similar cases. Wonders whether male butterflies may serve more than one female.

Summary

Reports work on sexual selection. Problems with the relative numbers of the two sexes and polygamy. Asks ARW’s help with several questions on polygamous birds.

Summary

Sends corrections [for French edition of Variation].

Summary

Thanks HWB for bringing "the question of sexes" before the Entomological Society. Feels he will come to some conclusion by comparison of numerous observations.

It appears Pangenesis "will expire unblessed and uncursed by the world".

Summary

Sends sheets of second issue [of Variation] with errata and changes to be made.

Refers to a favourable review,

and a contemptuous one in Athenæum written, he thinks, by Richard Owen [see 5931].

Summary

Review in Athenæum full of contempt. Is sure Owen wrote it [see 5931].

Gardeners’ Chronicle review [(1868): 184] favourable.

Fears Pangenesis is still-born. Cites Bates, Spencer, Lubbock, and Sir Henry Holland. Is sure Pangenesis will sometime reappear. Questions that are connected and answered by Pangenesis.

Summary

Offers to undertake publication of English translation of Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin. W. S. Dallas will translate it.

Summary

Is working on "Sexual selection"; asks WDF to send observations on birds’ finding new mates during breeding season [see Descent 2: 103–7].

Summary

Will forward LR’s memoir to Earl of Tankerville. Has sent LR’s pamphlet on "Darwin Lehre" [Die Grenzen der Thierwelt (1868)] to a German lady he employs as a translator. Cannot agree that there is an innate principle of perfection.

Summary

Thanks JM for presentation copies [of Variation]. Sends directions and list.

Has been told positively that hostile review in Athenæum was by Berthold Seemann, to whom he once refused a testimonial.

On the whole, reviews have been very good.

Summary

Will send English edition [of Variation] when available.

Mentions revisions in second issue concerning graft-hybrids.

Asks for Euryale seed for experiment.

Discusses fertility of crossed and self-fertilised plants.

Summary

Thanks for results on sexes of trout. [See 5793.] CD is collecting information about the proportional numbers of sexes in animals.

Summary

Is obliged for the facts about the hybrids [see 5910], which permit him to reject the view of B. D. Walsh (and H. W. Bates?) that organs play an important part in keeping incipient species distinct.

He has asked John Murray to send RM a copy of Variation.

Summary

Pleased by ARW’s response to Pangenesis.

On negative reception by his friends.

Further argument concerning sterility and natural selection.

Polygamy and sexual selection.

Protection.

Summary

Thanks for corrections of errors [in Variation].

Summary

Thanks JJW for his paper on apterous insects [see 5939], which contained much new information.

Asks JJW for any information he may have on sexual selection.

Describes an experiment, still untried, of staining tail-feathers of male pigeons in bright colours to find the effect on courtship.