Summary

ARW’s explanation of protective value of conspicuous coloration is ingenious.

CD still holds to sexual selection with respect to beauty in male butterflies.

Sexual selection and the races of man.

Expression of emotions is another subject he plans to include in his essay [Descent].

Asks ARW to suggest an observer in Malay Archipelago to whom he might send queries [on expression].

Summary

Sends a sheet of proofs. Will hold four others until he hears from VOK, because of expensive postage. Thinks illustrating Russian translation [of Variation] with woodcuts from A. E. Brehm’s work [Illustrirtes Thierleben, 4 vols. (1864–7)] is an excellent idea.

Summary

The date-palm seed case is important for Pangenesis.

Reports experiments on pollination of Ipomoea.

"Insular floras": A. Murray’s paper in Gardeners’ Chronicle is poor.

John Scott’s work on acclimatisation of plants.

The anomaly of the Azores flora on the migration theory.

Summary

Describes his experiments in fertilising Oncidium flexuosum and comparison with Notylia.

Has been examining Catasetum.

Encloses seeds of two species of Gesneria and describes hairs in the seed capsule. Hairs in other plants seem to have a different function.

Starting tomorrow for a botanical excursion on the Continent.

Summary

Returns Charles Naudin’s letter with its case in support of CD’s view of impregnation.

Twits JDH for trying to wriggle out of error made in his lecture and admires his "candour in letting the rat out of the bag". [See 5449 and 5451.]

Summary

On the Duke of Argyll and a review of his Reign of law.

Asa Gray’s theological view of variation. God’s role in formation of organisms; JDH’s view of Providence.

Insular and continental genera.

Owen on continuity and ideal types

and on bones of Mauritius deer.

On man.

Summary

CD’s Variation is in printer’s hands.

Orchid self-sterility.

Summary

Sends fourth volume of A. E. Brehm’s Thierleben. First three sent at V. O. Kovalevsky’s request. Asks CD’s support for an English edition, since this is the first extensive popular work based on CD’s theory.

Summary

Observations on orchid self-sterility.

Wants information on characters that may have originated through sexual selection in lower animals.

Encloses queries on expression.

Summary

Thanks VOK for the present of A. E. Brehm’s Illustrirtes Thierleben [1864–7].

The woodcuts will do admirably [for Variation].

Summary

Asks why caterpillars are sometimes beautifully coloured. It poses a problem for view that sexual selection is the explanation of colours of male butterflies.

More on mimetic butterflies.

Summary

Discusses the orchid specimens received from MTM. Remarks on the self-sterility of Cypripedium and other orchids.

Summary

Sends the four volumes [of Brehm’s Thierleben] for Murray’s consideration.

Summary

Repeats details of his previous letter [5537] as he was unsure whether CD received it.

Summary

Thanks for copy of HS’s First principles [? 2d ed. (1867)].

Comments on HS’s Principles of biology [1864, 1867].

Summary

Asks for specimen [of Eozoon] for J. V. Carus of Leipzig.

Summary

He is unacquainted with Brehm’s work [Thierleben]. Asks that a volume be sent so he can form an opinion on publishing it.

Summary

Discusses sexual and seasonal differences in the plumage of birds and coats of mammals.

Remarks upon variations in the form of the canine tooth between the sexes in mammalian groups.

Plumage of allied species of plover.

Asks CD’s help with work on unimproved domestic animals.

Summary

Thanks AG for information.

Summary

Thanks for two copies of Hildebrand’s monograph on plant sexuality (Hildebrand 1867a).