Summary

Asks whether the Litchfields may call on her. "My wife complains that she has been very badly treated and that I ought to have asked permission for her to call on you with me when we next come to London: but I tell her that I still have some shreds of modesty."

Summary

Pleased that GHD will help with second edition of Descent. Cautions him not to alter strength of CD’s expression or improve the style too much.

Summary

CD would like to know what were the sizes of insects caught by the older leaves of Dionaea.

Summary

Comments on ability of recipient to move his scalp.

Summary

Recommends H. Müller’s Die Befruchtung den Blumen durch Insekten (1873).

Summary

Sends £10 subscription for James Murie.

Summary

Thanks CD for one of his books.

Summary

The evidence of tameness of Alpine butterflies [see 8672] seems good and the fact is surprising to CD for they can hardly have acquired this in their short life-time.

The question whether butterflies are attracted to bright colours independently of the supposed presence of nectar is still unanswered.

CD has great difficulty in believing that any temporary condition of parents can affect the offspring.

Pangenesis is much reviled, but CD must still look at generation from this point of view, which makes him averse to believing that an emotion has any effect on the offspring.

Summary

On the vermiform appendix,

snipes breeding in England,

and the horns of crossbred sheep.

Summary

Has been told CD wants photo of him; sends one. Requests a portrait photo of CD for his album. KEvB apologises for his English and his shaky hand; he is 88 years old.

Summary

William Spottiswoode was not at home, but JT sought out Herbert Spencer. Spencer will come with JT to see CD [about the Huxley fund].

Summary

Recommends Hermann Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen [1873].

Summary

Praise for and detailed comments on Expression.

Two cases of coloration in animals – one from sexual selection, the other helping to procure prey [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 542–3].

Summary

Fascinated by Greg’s Enigmas, though its matter is weak.

Is vexed at being drawn into hostility toward British Museum through William Carruthers’ insolence and presumption.

Recounts visit with Edward Cardwell [Secretary for War].

Has sent Candolle’s book to Gladstone.

JDH indignant at Gladstone’s speech putting English science below French and German.

Thinks it is an accepted dogma that glandular hairs are excreting only. Will ask others to confirm.

Summary

Praises Expression.

Reports on Fritz Müller’s observations of cross- and self-fertilisation. HM will cultivate the two forms [i.e., mainly self-fertilised and mainly cross-fertilised] in the way CD has described.

He continues his observation of wild flowers. Encloses drawing of Viola tricolor with notes on its self-fertility.

Summary

Various observations on sexual selection portion of Descent – ostriches, rosy-billed duck, egrets, rails, etc.

Summary

Observations on bees’ biting holes in Lathyrus.

Suggests an experiment FD could carry out with Drosera.

CD is working on Mimosa, and "everything has turned out as perversely as possible".

Summary

Although he believes in evolution, TM feels that natural selection is an inadequate cause;

nor is he satisfied with E. D. Cope’s law of acceleration and retardation.

Discusses some of his work relating to nutrition and sex and colour and sex.

Summary

CD’s notice in Nature [Collected papers 2: 171–2] induces WP to send letters from correspondents recounting stories of a dog that learned to open a door and of another that found his way home from London to Cowes.

Summary

Has investigated whether it makes a difference if extracts [of alkaloid poisons] are made from leaves, seeds, or roots.