Summary

Encloses his letter to GJ [6885], which was returned.

Summary

Comments on effects of prussic acid on different individuals of the same species and other physiological research by WP.

Provides information about his studies in Edinburgh and Cambridge and qualifications he had for Beagle voyage. Describes influence of R. E. Grant and J. S. Henslow.

Summary

Invites WDF to visit.

Describes activities of his children.

Summary

Moritz Wagner is going to attack selection theory in his new book on his travels in America [Naturwissenschaftliche Reisen im tropischen Amerika (1870)].

K. G. Semper may attack CD’s theory of coral islands.

Summary

Has read the notes on Rond [Round] Island which he owes to JDH. What an enigma its flora and fauna present, especially the problem of monocotyledons! Asks JDH’s opinion.

A new book on St Helena confirms CD’s observations.

Summary

Thanks for sending him a hybrid.

Summary

Thanks JO for his The Andes and the Amazon.

Is sorry he has failed to get any information on the horse’s tooth.

Summary

Congratulations [on election to Parliament]; hopes science will not suffer because of politics.

Previously wrote inquiring about savages and suicide, but JL need not hurry to answer.

Summary

Suicide is rare among savages [see Descent 1: 94].

Summary

Forwards part of a note [by Mrs L. Agassiz] asking AG to tell CD that Agassiz has never been able to secure one of the fishes sitting on eggs.

In P.S., AG adds, "Agassiz evidently regrets having abused you in former times."

Summary

Transformism explains rudimentary organs, and teratology, which are otherwise inexplicable.

Looking forward to publication of Descent

and CD’s expected book on "Variation in nature" [see Variation 1: 4].

Summary

Describes his brother Alexander’s discovery of male of Bonellia, a striking example of dimorphism. Encloses a plate with notes on his brother’s work.

The difficulty his wife, Sofya Kovalevsky, has had as a woman in being admitted to Berlin University. Kirchow [Gustav Robert Kirchhoff], at Heidelberg, has taken an interest in her.

Summary

On the expression of disagreeable surprise.

Summary

Responds to her suggested corrections [of Descent].

Summary

Sends MS [of chs. 3 and 4, "Comparison of the mental powers of man and the lower animals", Descent] to HED for her criticism. CD fears parts are too much like a sermon; "who wd ever have thought I shd turn parson?"

Summary

CD was good enough to send notice of his new book [Descent] for the first number of the Academy; asks for further contributions and suggestions.

Summary

Experiments with Lapageria.

Summary

Would like to call at 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning.

Summary

Would like to see JDH become Sir J. H. Does not think JDH owes his position in science to his father.

Sends questions on Round Island – if JDH should write [to Henry Barkly?].

Has he read Federico Delpino on Marantaceae [Nuovo G. Bot. Ital. 1 (1869): 293–206]?

Summary

Will not be returning to London for a week; writes to save CD’s calling.