Summary

John Murray has announced his next book [Cross and self-fertilisation] without CD’s knowledge. It is only half-written. JVC will hear when it is published and will decide whether it is worth translating. It will be dry, but, CD believes, of value.

Has read an account of JVC’s Scottish lectures.

Invites JVC to Down.

Summary

Thanks for report on J. V. Carus’ lecture.

Glad to hear suspicion about J. H. Stirling groundless.

CD has not seen R. W. Emerson. In last two or three years has seen several Yankees. Saw a good deal of the Nortons [Charles Eliot and Susan Ridley Sedgwick].

Summary

Will collect the "precious animal" [deerhound puppy] from King’s Cross.

Thanks GC for information on the perch.

Summary

Many thanks for present of a dog: he will arrange its collection from the train whenit arrives in London.

He is correcting proofs of Descent, and will send GC a copy.

Summary

Do breeders rear more male than female greyhound puppies?

Summary

Lady Lyell’s death.

Sends names of donors of gift to THH.

The Edinburgh Review has a critical article against CD, THH, Tyndall, and H. Spencer [see 8935]. Thinks Forbes reference not worth answering.

Summary

Suggests that Cupples weigh puppies from one week old, rather than two weeks old.

Summary

Discusses the development of horns in reindeer and other deer.

Summary

Bran [deerhound puppy] is thriving; enjoys English life.

Summary

Asks about coat colour of elk,

the mane of American bison,

and about sexual preferences of female deer.

Summary

WW’s information accords with other accounts lately received. CD had formed an erroneous opinion on the subject.

Summary

Thanks JVC for his information (from two correspondents) on the rate of growth of merino rams’ horns.

CD has been revising Origin [5th ed.]. Has found a good deal to alter.

Summary

Has heard that book by Alphonse M[ilne]-Edwards [? Recherches anatomiques et paléontologiques, 4 vols. (1867–71)] is excellent.

Asks when horns appear on young male fallow deer.

Summary

Thanks AB for his review of Expression [May 1873, in The senses and the intellect, 3d ed. (1874), pp. 697–714]. Admits vagueness of some points. Has never grasped AB’s principle of spontaneity. But, as they look at everything so differently, it is not likely that they should agree closely.

A recent review by T. S. Baynes, [Edinburgh Rev. 137 (1873): 492–528] is "magnificently contemptuous" toward CD and many others.

Summary

Thanks GC for his assistance. "The data for all that I have to say about the Scotch deer-hound are, owing to you, almost sufficient; and much better data than I have got in many other cases." [See Descent 2: 260.]

Believes Dr Stirling would be compelled to admit some change in "the famous protoplasm in our domestic races, both in regard to the structure of the body & qualities of the mind".

Summary

Wishes Cupples had said something about health. Sends regards to Mrs Cupples.

Summary

A letter in support of [Ann Jane] Cupples’ request to the Royal Literary Fund for assistance. Her talent, industry, and need.

Summary

Asks whether GC knows who gave CD a scolding in last Edinburgh Review [Apr 1873].