Summary

Planning to visit Gibraltar and Morocco. Is there anything he can do for CD?

Summary

Gives details of some crossing experiments with Eschscholzia.

Describes the grass Streptochaeta, which FM believes to be a primitive grass.

Relates some observations on maize that are well explained by Pangenesis.

Summary

Thanks GM for offer of observations. Would be interested to know when the horns of merino rams first appear,

and has long wished for living specimens of Drosophyllum.

Summary

Dedication of Malay Archipelago to CD.

Comments on scientific papers.

Summary

Sends CD another piebald potato and a spray of holly, from Mr Fish, discussed in Gardeners’ Chronicle of 22 Jan [1869, p. 83].

Summary

On development of horns in merino sheep. Encloses reports from herdsmen he has approached.

Summary

No paradox that unimportant characters are important systematically. This view removes heavy burden from CD’s shoulders. Relief that JDH does not object.

Summary

Response to letter about dedication of Malay Archipelago and several scientific papers.

Changes in 5th ed. of Origin.

Now feels individual differences of paramount importance. Fleeming Jenkin has convinced him about "single variations".

Summary

Sends a paper on reproductive modes of Leptodera ["Organisation und Fortpflanzen von Leptodera", Schr. Ges. Beförd. Naturw. Marburg (1869)].

Criticises Ernst Haeckel’s work as too unripe and enthusiastic.

Asks CD for some specimens of cirripedes in pupal stage for a work in progress.

Summary

Argues that [general variability] of species, not single variations or sports, is basis for modification and adaptation to new conditions.

Summary

Sends translation of Mr Steiger’s letter responding to question CD had asked about growth of horns of merino rams.

Summary

Thanks JVC for his information (from two correspondents) on the rate of growth of merino rams’ horns.

CD has been revising Origin [5th ed.]. Has found a good deal to alter.

Summary

Repeats request for information on colours of plumage of poultry breeds and asks for WBT’s facts on proportions of sexes.

Summary

Sends abstract of an article by Carrière [J. Agric. Pratique 1 (1869): 159–67] on the improvement of wild radish by selection.

Summary

There will be no objection to the French translation or difficulty about woodcuts of Orchids.

Has not yet received the information about Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin.

Summary

Assumes Murray will give permission for French translation of Orchids; asks that stereotypes of woodcuts be supplied at cost, since if expensive the work will not appear.

Summary

Asks CD for references to animal breeders in order to test the hypothesis that mimicry arises through direct action of mental impressions received through the sense of sight.

Supports natural selection and Pangenesis.

Summary

Thanks JJM for translating long paper [by Carrière, J. Agric. Pratique 48 (1869): 159–67]. Paper interesting especially for showing variation has been different under different conditions.

Summary

Sends information from a Kent sheep-breeder.

Summary

Estimates cost of F. Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin at £86 for 750 copies, less than £10 extra for 1000.