Summary

Notes on sexual differences within certain species of birds.

Summary

HCW’s criticisms of CD’s theory.

Summary

CD has been elected a Corresponding Member of the Biology Section of the Académie Impériale des Sciences, St Petersburg.

Summary

Discusses mule canaries which show a tendency to revert to wild plumage colours.

Summary

Asks CD for memorandum giving his opinion on a proposal to move the site of the Calcutta Botanic Garden. Gives details of the position, the physical character and the climate of the present site to show how desirable a move would be.

Summary

Sends an article ["Des lumières que la géologie peut jeter sur … l’histoire ancienne des Athéniens"] extracted from his work [Animaux fossiles et géologie de l’Attique (1862–7)]. CD’s letters have been an encouragement.

Hopes the belief in transformation will gradually be accepted. For himself the idea in no way undermines his idea of spirituality and his respect for human dignity.

Hopes to continue his work on the genealogical relationship (enchaînement) of fossils.

Summary

CD thanks JBI for contribution to Down school.

George [Darwin] has passed his examination at Cambridge;

Henrietta has been poorly.

Summary

Thanks for information on expression.

Poor progress of civilisation in South Africa. CD’s doubts and fears about democracy.

JPMW’s views on glaciation in S. Africa will discredit him unless supported by clearest evidence.

Summary

Thanks JvH for J. Stack’s answers [to queries about expression]. Though few, they are the best and clearest he has received. Sends a corrected printed version of queries.

Belatedly thanks JvH for his splendid report on glaciers [missing].

CD lives "in constant state of overwork and fatigue".

Everyone astonished by Dinornis photos.

Summary

Thanks for congratulations.

Doubts THH’s response to Pangenesis will give him pleasure. "Oh Lord what a blowing up I may receive."

Still thinks THH has been too "sharp sighted" on hybridism.

Sends Mrs Huxley Queries about expression.

Summary

Comments on Wollaston’s troubles

and his book [Coleoptera Hesperidum (1867)].

Mohl’s claim to foreign membership in Royal Society very strong.

Has been in despair about Variation – not worth a fifth part of the labour it cost him.

Is reading F. A. W. Miquel’s Flora du Japon [Prolusio florae Japonicae (1866–7)]; wonders whether A. Murray could be correct in his view that an area of the sea prevented Asiatico-Japan flora colonising western N. America.

Comments on A. Murray’s book [Geographical distribution of mammals (1866)].

Summary

Discussion of the pig in light of CD’s Variation.

Work of Hermann von Nathusius [Die Racen des Schweines (1860)].

Summary

Would like a look at Nathusius.

Edward Blyth’s inability to recognise cats’ skulls.

Summary

Thanks for Variation.

Reports work on his travel book [The Malay Archipelago (1869)].

Summary

Asks that Gray forward a letter to J. T. Rothrock. Variation is selling well. Nearly all chapters were at least partially written before Origin was published.

Summary

Is working on sexual selection and is interested in any anomalous sex ratios in lower animals and any sex-related characters.

Summary

Wants information on sex ratios in domestic animals. Can WBT help?

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Asks whether mane in male of Macacus silenus protects it from bites or is merely ornamental.

Summary

Agrees to help determine the sex ratios in domestic animals.

Summary

Is much obliged that WBT will undertake tabulation of sex ratios in racehorses, greyhounds, and cattle.