Summary

Sends paper on Artemesia.

Praise for Descent.

Has talked to St George Mivart about CD’s health.

Summary

Explains why he must decline to write for the Index: his health is poor and he has never systematically thought much on religion. FEA may print his comments, "with qualifications", if he wishes.

Summary

Almost 600 copies of Descent sold at trade sale, with 120 left in stock. Suggests printing another 1000 to give more time for correcting the work for 2d edition.

Summary

Praises and comments on JL’s essay on insects ["Origin of insects", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. 11 (1873): 422–5].

Summary

CD offers to mark corrected passages in sheets of 6th edition of Origin.

Discusses question of hybrids between goats and sheep, on which H. von Nathusius has cast doubt in his recent Viehzucht [1872]. CD gives several references for a contrary view.

Asks JVC to inquire about HvN’s assertion that castrated rams have no horns.

Summary

Says has sent a copy of CD’s memorial to Captain Jones. Passes on Sir Geo. Grey’s comments on pasturage near Morpeth. Tells superstition about straight furrows and fairies.

Summary

Has decided that 1000 copies of Descent should be printed. Will make no alterations. "If it goes on selling it will shew that it is worth a thorough revision."

The U. S. sale of Descent (10000 copies) is larger than in England.

Summary

Thanks for the information about the action of roots on rocks.

Summary

Inquires about the effect of turf covering on the rate of disintegration of rock.

Summary

Asks for some pamphlets, the titles of which have been sent to him by Dr Spengel [see 8053].

Summary

Horns of castrated merino rams remain almost undeveloped.

Summary

The horns of castrated male lambs compared with horns of ewes. [See Descent, 2d ed., p. 506.]

Summary

Sends CD a German pamphlet, "War Goethe ein Darwinianer?"

Summary

Asks that the rabbits CD has kept be sent to him; will continue [transfusion] experiments on rats, but using larger [surgical] connection.

Summary

Sends back proofs. Praises CD for calm treatment of Mivart. Looks at duck’s mouth. Asks whether CD has seen Snow’s article in the Spectator.

Summary

Effect of turf covering on the disintegration of rocks. Weathering of rock; relative importance of different agents with different rocks.

Summary

Will send FD’s work [Studi sopra un lignaggio anemofilo delle composte (1871)] to Nature for review.

CD’s health has been poor all summer – he doubts that he will ever "have the strength to publish on Variability under a state of Nature".

Hopes to publish on cross- and self-fertilisation next summer.

Encloses his photo and asks for FD’s.

Summary

Reports how his sons enjoyed their trip to America.

Is glad SRSN is settled in Dresden.

Summary

Thanks for information on platycnemic tibiae found in America. Believes the condition is of two kinds as exemplified by Gibraltar and Cro-Magnon tibiae on one side and the Welsh form on the other. Would like to know which of the two forms the American bones are; their proportions suggest they are very like the Welsh tibiae.

Summary

Going to Down to see the "most curious" results.