Summary

Asks how many wild Chillingham cattle are killed each year. Interested in rate of increase.

Summary

Thanks W. H. Fitch for drawing for the Primula paper. Death of experimental plants delays publication.

Summary

Discusses family and domestic matters.

Summary

Information is sought from correspondents regarding the mental powers of Polish and other tufted fowls. CD finds it hard to believe that the protuberance of the front part of the skull, which is accompanied by a change in the shape of the brain, would not produce a change in mental powers. References to Bechstein, Pallas, and Tegetmeier regarding the stupid behaviour of these birds.

Summary

Thanks BJS for account of Mendoza earthquake.

FitzRoy sent CD the last London Review [& Weekly J. Polit.] and he read the article on Genesis, but feels it is an attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable.

Summary

Asks TCE to confirm some general statements on resemblances in skeletons of birds of same genus.

Summary

Discusses the possibility of a banking job for William [Darwin]; wishes to meet JL to discuss the prospects.

Summary

Has completed MS on poultry [for Variation].

Thanks for information on their courtship.

Summary

Is obliged to Mr Bennett for information, the same relayed through Consul General Mr Crowe.

CD is interested in information that provides insight into the colour of the aboriginal horse and the possibility that the offspring of a cross between differently-coloured breeds revert to the colour of the aboriginal parent. He has examined crosses between pigeons for this purpose and would welcome any analogous facts resulting from crossing of distinct breeds.

Summary

Discusses results of his examination of fowls’ skeletons. Wants to quote TCE on variation in skeletons of allied species. Asks about skulls of birds with topknots.

Summary

Sends some replies to CD’s queries and data on pigeon flights between Bordeaux and Verviers.

Summary

Henslow’s death.

What a contrast C. C. Babington will be as Professor of Botany at Cambridge.

Beaton not to be trusted.

CD may switch from Athenæum to London Review & Wkly J. Polit.

Summary

Has written recollections of Henslow [Collected papers 2: 72–4].

Summary

Henslow’s long suffering.

Donald Beaton’s articles in Cottage Gardener clever but not to be trusted.

Summary

Thanks for railway map.

Surprised about Richard Owen: "I thought his courage was as indomitable as his malignity."

Sends extract [Sir John Herschel, "Physical geography", from the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1861)].

Summary

Has heard, through Lubbock, of a gentleman who is offering a partnership in a bank.

Summary

CD is unable to locate his specimens of two Falkland Island birds [Opetiorhynchus].

Summary

Thanks JFWH for his "Physical geography" [from the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1861)]

and for what he says about Origin, though JFWH goes but a little way with CD. Gives reasons why he cannot accept "Design" in nature, though he is in a "complete jumble" on the point. Is confident of his views because they have aided good workers in several fields to "group and understand many scattered facts".

Summary

CD’s doubts on biography of Henslow. Writing recollections of Cambridge days at JDH’s request.

Summary

[Letter printed in REG, Tabular view of the primary divisions of the animal kingdom.] Dedicates his book to CD in testimony of his admiration of CD’s successful attempt to throw light on "the mystery of mysteries of organic nature".