Summary

Discusses changes in 5th edition of Origin owing to new evidence. CD now places more value on action of external conditions; thinks lapse of time [required for development of species] not so great as some geologists have thought, and single variations [saltations] of even less importance compared with individual differences.

Summary

Recalls Cuvier’s reaction to Principles of geology.

Comments on Wallace’s article in the Quarterly Review [see 6684].

Not opposed to ARW’s idea that Supreme Will might direct variation.

Quotes passage in letter from ARW arguing for causes other than selection in determining human abilities.

Discusses excavation of lakes by glaciers.

J. P. Lesley does not believe ice-sheets involved in eroding Appalachians.

Summary

Females have no preference for particular males in deer and elk. Observations on sexual behaviour and characteristics of elk, deer, bison, and other animals.

Summary

Asks whether in Slavonic races the hair of the beard and head are different colours.

Summary

H. M. S. Nassau, surveying Magellan Straits, has found fossils at Gallegos River. They have been sent to THH by R. O. Cunningham [naturalist of H. M. S. Nassau]. Skull of entirely new ungulate mammal.

Summary

Daisies.

A tame rabbit with a litter of 18.

Summary

The Linnean Society Council wants CD to review two papers, with reference to their value for publication.

Summary

Thanks for [D. D. Cunningham’s] letter. Had hoped for a better haul but delighted to hear of the curious fossil.

Summary

Sends photograph of Sir C. Lyell and Professor Owen, generally considered our most distinguished [British] naturalists. Includes the requested photograph of himself [see 6720].

Summary

Encloses Mrs Gray’s notes on expression among Arabs.

Summary

In response to a query from a Mr D. T. Fish, CD reaffirms his view of the efficiency of worms in bringing up in their intestines fine soil from below the surface. Reports on observations, during the past 25 years, which confirm his views.

Summary

Recommends publication of Mrs Barber’s paper on a rare case of fertilisation of a plant by one kind of insect alone, with access of others prevented by a mechanical obstacle [Mary Elizabeth Barber, "On the fertilisation and dissemination of Duvernoia adhatodoides", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 11 (1869): 469–72].

Summary

French translation of Orchids will be published by Reinwald. Asks for CD’s new footnotes to be sent.

Summary

Development of the horns of local sheep.

Results of breeding tailless pointers: of six puppies, three had stumps like parents.

Observations on Drosophyllum.

Summary

Sends a letter (and seeds) from Fritz Müller about a strange monstrous form of Begonia found wild in Brazil. Asks GB whether it is worth communicating to Linnean Society.

Summary

Will have Fritz Müller’s letter ["On the modification of the stamens in a species of Begonia", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 11 (1871): 472–4] read at next Linnean Society meeting [read 3 June 1869].

Has given the seeds to Daniel Oliver.

Summary

Notes sex ratios in Lepidoptera he is breeding.

Summary

Comments on paper by JJW ["On insects and insectivorous birds", Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6]. JJW’s verification of A. R. Wallace’s suggestion regarding inheritance is quite a discovery.

Summary

Sends his MS "The real presence" [on transubstantiation] for CD’s comments.

Summary

He is managing to salvage a few Andalusian Drosophyllum plants from the voyage and will send some to CD.