Summary

Agrees to write to William Ogle [about twins with crooked fingers].

Describes growth of sweetpeas for experiment.

Summary

Thanks FG for issues of Revue [Scientifique vol. 7, containing lectures by Claude Bernard].

Ogle says twins [with crooked fingers] are his sisters.

Recommends book by M. A. Puvis [De la dégénération des variétés de végétaux (1837)].

Summary

Has heard that FG will write on inheritance. Huxley does not believe in E. G. Balbiani’s views on subject.

Summary

In London yesterday for Vivisection Commission.

Is revising his chapter on Pangenesis [in Variation, 2d ed.] to allow that gemmules probably multiply in the reproductive organs.

Notes examples of inheritance of acquired characteristics cited by Brown-Séquard.

Doubts that double parentage is necessary for complex organisations.

Summary

Comments on FG’s paper ["A theory of heredity"]. Finds essay difficult to understand. Objects that FG’s theory conflicts with phenomenon of use and disuse. Conflicts also with rarity of bud-variations in nature.

Says he has ordered FG’s article ["The history of twins", Fraser’s Mag. 92 (1875): 566–76; revised in J. Anthropol. Inst. 5 (1876): 391–406].

Summary

Comments on FG’s paper ["The history of twins"].

CD is "in a passion with the Spectator who always muddles".

Summary

Mentions revisions [in Variation, 2d ed.].

Argues with FG’s theory of heredity, defending Pangenesis: "I cannot doubt that every unit of the hybrid is hybridised and sends forth hybridised gemmules."

Summary

Thanks FG for his report [on the statistical validity of CD’s experiments; see Cross and self-fertilisation, pp. 16–18]. Discusses FG’s comments, his own experiments, and the means by which the results may be analysed.

Summary

Sends signed enclosure.

FG will hear of germination of peas in a few days.

Summary

Has received French essay on effects of conscription on [decreasing] height of men, due to unfit left at home to propagate race. Would FG care to see it?

Summary

Can FG come to lunch on Sunday? George Darwin wants to meet him.

Summary

Sends enclosure regarding inherited handwriting from Life, letters, and journals of George Ticknor [ed. G. S. Hillard (1876)].

Summary

Can FG come to lunch on Monday?

Sorry FG has not been well and is soon going abroad.

Summary

Describes plans to publish English edition of Krause’s work on Erasmus Darwin.

Will correct Anna Seward’s calumnies [in Memoirs of the life of Dr Darwin (1804)].

Asks about family letters.

Doubts some stories about Erasmus Darwin [in Christiana C. Hankin, ed., Life of Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck (1858)].

Summary

Thanks FG for an extract [about Dr Erasmus Darwin?].

Summary

Caroline Darwin says mysterious visitor’s name was Brand. It was in time of Colonel Pole. Never visited Mrs Pole or Mrs Darwin [Elizabeth Collier], but sent respectful messages.

Summary

CD’s father thought he had not been treated fairly about his share of his mother’s [Mary Howard Darwin’s] fortune. Will not allude to this [in Erasmus Darwin]. Surprising that grandfather did not make more money. Has found memorandum of his having lost £1500 in ironworks.

Summary

CD’s little biography [Erasmus Darwin] has turned out very dull.

May FG’s tour turn out pleasant.

Summary

Returns completed questionnaire concerning visualising faculty [see LL 3: 177–9]. Thinks age important. Recalls faces of school friends but cannot remember those of people recently met.

Comments on his part [of Erasmus Darwin].

Summary

Encloses letter [see 12488] and circular from Henry Faulds [regarding thumb impressions]. Anthropology Institute may care about it.