Summary

Sends several plants with abortive anthers or bad pollen.

Summary

Regrets that the remarks in his letter [5712] seemed to CD to be criticisms. Nothing was further from his intention. He is working hard. "The subjects often seem to elude the Index-maker."

Summary

Baby’s situation hopeless.

E. Perceval Wright on way to Seychelles for collecting.

Summary

On improving the educational system.

Summary

Sends Dallas’ specimen of indexing [for Variation].

Asks CD’s opinion of likelihood of a hybrid of ass and bull, reported in a MS of a journey to Asia Minor he is reading.

Summary

Remarks on Darwinism’s reception. The radical press shies away, out of ignorance, because CD may be made out to be a Tory. He has met a Darwinian Marchioness.

The mystery of sex is the origin of all religion.

Summary

Thanks for "Climbing plants" offprint and for references on fertilisation of flowers.

Considering the bounty of work already done, he is looking for something original to do.

Subularia does not grow in Westphalia.

Summary

AM discusses his new journal [J. Travel & Nat. Hist.] of which general opinion seems to be favourable. Has room for the occasional contributor, if CD knows of any.

Summary

Sexual ornamentation of insects: coloration of Epicalia genus [of tropical S. American butterflies];

horned genera of lamellicorn beetles [see Descent 1: 370, 388].

Wallace brought CD’s question about gay-coloured caterpillars before the Entomological Society. Members now seeking explanations.

Summary

Forwards some plant specimens to CD for his comments.

Summary

Pleased by CD’s letter; his object was to apply CD’s principles to the reform of zoology. When this is done, it is wonderful to see how improved one’s understanding of the Crustacea (Arthropoda) becomes. Cites examples.

Summary

Hopes to get afternoon train from Victoria.

Woolner comes on Sunday morning.

Summary

On the breeding out of horns in Galloway cattle.

Has a finely graded series linking the dentition of the rhinoceros with that of the Palaeotherium of the Eocene.

Summary

Offers CD a room for his forthcoming visit to the BAAS meeting at Dundee.

Summary

Has received a copy of an attack on CD ["Darwinian theory examined"] from the author, but does not know who it is.

Summary

Arrangements for obtaining Carl Nägeli a set of British Hieracium specimens.

Summary

Left his box of plants in dog-cart [on his visit to Down].

Summary

Seeks CD’s opinion and references on the causes of terraces in the south of England. He supports sea action as cause, either by currents or on coasts, and has been engaged in a controversy in the Geological Magazine [4 (1867): 571–5] with the subaerial school. Poulett Scrope thinks they are agricultural.

Summary

Will have to delay starting on the bust of CD.

Summary

Thanks for skins and skeletons.

Has been arranging sponges [Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. (1867): 495–558].