Summary

CD and ED bequeath an annuity of £50 to J. Parslow [the Darwins’ butler].

Summary

Sends Catalogue [of the collection of fossils in the Museum of Practical Geology (1865)], most of which was written in pre-Darwinian epoch [i.e., 1857].

Hears magnum opus [Variation] completely developed, though not yet born.

Summary

Feels a little better, but sickness continues.

Wants to borrow Robert Caspary’s paper on the union of buds in Cytisus [see 5012].

Summary

On FitzRoy’s suicide.

The Lyell–Ramsay disagreement [on formation of lakes?].

Summary

On FitzRoy’s life and character.

Carl von Siebold’s cases of males and females of gall insects [True parthenogenesis in moths and bees (1857)]. Each sex produced on different plants.

Haeckel’s astonishing case of propagation in a Medusa.

Summary

Sends advice on naturalist matters.

W. H. Harvey’s work [with Wilhelm Sonder, Flora capensis (1859–65)],

and Robert Brown’s publication ["On the organs and mode of fecundation in Orchideae and Asclepiadeae", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 16 (1833): 685–745].

Writes of having seen in S. America a Hymenopteran with tarsi covered with pollen-masses of Asclepias.

Interested in JPMW’s researches in South American caverns.

Mentions poor health.

Thanks for tracings.

Summary

Thanks FR for copy [of first number] of Der Mensch [1866].

Summary

Reports on the funeral of Robert FitzRoy.

His own health has deteriorated and he must give up his work.

Summary

Would rejoice to see BJS at Down, but explains that he can only spend short spells of time in his company if he comes.

Summary

Reports Lincoln’s murder.

The end of Civil War is in sight.

Must look at dimorphism in Plantago.

Summary

Asks JC to pay him a professional visit at Down to consider whether the ice treatment would apply to his case. Describes his sickness.

Summary

Sends fresh plants from France: Lythrum graefferi, Romulea.

Does CD know Pulmonaria is dimorphic?

Summary

All overworked at Kew.

Burchell collections enormous.

Lyell has sent MS of Principles p. 111 on changes of temperature. JDH thinks Lyell blunders and is out of his depth.

Charmed with E. B. Tylor’s book on man [Early history of mankind (1865)],

disappointed in Lubbock’s [Prehistoric times (1865)].

Summary

Thanks for Catalogue.

Has had a bad month. Somewhat improved as a result of John Chapman’s ice-bag cures.

Asks THH to read MS on his hypothesis Pangenesis. THH only man whose judgment on it would be final with him.

Summary

Glad to read what CD sends. Any glimmer of light on those subjects is of utmost importance.

Quotes a letter from Haeckel on progress of Darwinism in Germany.

Summary

Discusses several subjects, including examples of "Unity of coloration",

the origin of gall-producing poison,

Wagner’s theory of viviparous larvae,

and stridulation in insects.

Sends a reference supporting CD’s statement in Origin that flies check propagation of horses and cattle.

Summary

Describes the floral structure of the lupin and gives his observations on its pollination by bees.

Summary

Thanks for THH’s willingness to read Pangenesis MS. Thinks some such view will have to be adopted but it overthrows, in an uncomfortable manner, ordinary development.

Summary

Impressed by Fritz Müller’s argument for natural selection in air-breathing apparatus of crustaceans ["The Darwinian hypothesis supported by observations on Crustacea", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3d ser. 15 (1865): 410–16].

Plans to visit CD.

Summary

Requests CD’s photograph.