Summary

Discusses the coiling of tendrils of climbing plants.

AG’s recent tour of the U. S.

Summary

He will send his book [Harvesting ants and trap-door spiders (1873)]. Describes two new types of trap-door spider nests.

Summary

Miscellaneous personal matters.

What does CD think of Robert Mallet’s earthquake theory? Would it not account for strata dipping at base of range of mountains?

Summary

Has translated half of Expression; is delighted with it. Comments on some points that he questions.

Is at work on concluding part of his handbook of zoology [Handbuch der Zoologie, 2 vols. (1863–75), with A. Gerstaecker].

Summary

Corrects CD’s spelling of the name of a statue: the Arrotino (spelled "Arretino" by CD) [see Expression, p. 184, on grief-muscles].

Summary

Much experiment and observation needed before spontaneous generation will be empirically advanced, but philosophically the matter is clear.

Thinks Ludwig Rütimeyer has attacked EH to satisfy pious opinion in Basel.

Will soon be finished with his monograph Die Kalkschwämme [1872].

Summary

Huxley will be asked to review Expression in Pall Mall Gazette.

Summary

WM converted to belief in evolution by experience of museum work.

Describes protective coloration of coots’ eggs.

Summary

Asks permission to translate Expression into German. Will superintend an Italian translation.

Informs CD of hornless fossil Bos etruscus and Miocene fossils of genus Sus [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 505, 521].

Summary

Samuel Pozzi has been proposed by C. Martin and Paul Broca as translator of Expression.

First volume of Descent has sold 1200 copies.

Summary

Doubts accuracy of Bible translations quoted by CD as evidence that Semitic races blush.

Questions his note on derivation of words like "ugly", "huge", etc.

Lists some mistakes and misprints.

Summary

Has not seen CD for about 25 years. Has heard an absurd story that CD and Emma are exploring an unknown part of America.

Summary

Has initiated inquiries about Dionaea.

Sends George King’s address.

Summary

Sends Mrs Barber’s address.

Gratified that CD hates Owen. Hopes Owen will not answer Nature letter and draw JDH into controversy. Owen’s letter was not intended for Ayrton to use. Its appearance must have horrified him.

State of Huxley’s health makes JDH uneasy.

Willy is in a stockbroker’s office in London and likes it.

Summary

JVC questions accuracy of Hensleigh Wedgwood’s statement that the word for a toad in all European languages expresses the habit of swelling [see Expression, p. 104]. Has changed "all" to "some".

Summary

Suggests possible experiments with Pisum and Lathyrus.

Has read the article CD spoke of; the doctrine of inherited mental and corporeal qualities is most fertile.

Summary

Has learned that German edition [of Expression] will be on larger pages than English one. No copies of heliotype plates [for Expression] have been delivered. Hopes Heliotype Company is not going to throw them over. Suggests CD write a strong letter.

Summary

Heliotype Company assures RC all 8000 sets of the plates [for Expression] will be ready next week.

Summary

Expression is now almost ready. The plates will require great care in the binding.

Summary

D. Appleton has been sent 3000 sets of plates [for Expression]. Hopes to publish [Expression] on 12 Nov.