On the Borneo cave exploration.
ARW will send his contribution to theory of origin of man. The vast mental and cranial differences between man and apes, whereas structural differences in other parts of body are small. The problem of explaining diversity of human races along with the stability of man’s form during all historical epochs. Discussion with "Anthropologicals" [following reading of ARW’s paper, "The origin of human races", before the Anthropological Society, 1 Mar 1864].
Has finished long paper on "Climbing plants". Prefers sending it to Linnean Society if Bentham does not think it too long.
For New Zealand flora [1864–7] CD suggests JDH count plants with irregular corollas and compare with England.
Does not quite agree about Reader.
Is Tyndall author of piece on spiritualism?
CD’s illness diagnosed as "suppressed gout".
Bentham wants "Climbing plants" for Journal of the Linnean Society, however long [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 9 (1865): 1–118]. Publication in Proceedings of the Royal Society restricts correspondence.
Reader much improved.
Tyndall did write piece on spiritualism ["Science and the spirits", Reader 4 (1864): 725–6].
"Suppressed gout" annoys him as a term cloaking ignorance.
Kew affairs.
H. J. Carter’s observations are wonderful but want verification.
Skeptical of H. H. Travers’ observations.
Asks CD whether he has given any thought to the phenomena of spiritualism.
Will attempt to provide CD with the information requested as soon as he can.
Gives references to some recent papers and articles which might interest CD.
Is currently reviewing Wallace’s new book [Malay Archipelago].
Expands upon their differences in regard to man and the question of the existence of forces not yet recognised by science.
Convinced by CD’s Origin.
As a "student of spirit intercourse", he asks CD for more details about the scene of the dancing spoon in Journal of researches [p. 546].
Asks what his profits on the reprints of Descent will be when half have been sold.
Good reviews in Saturday Review and Pall Mall Gazette;
contemptuous one as usual in Athenæum.
W. Crookes’s article ["Enquiry into phenomena called spiritual", Q. J. Sci. n.s. 4 (1874): 77–97] "staggers" her. Would like to know CD’s opinion.
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