Summary

Differences in size and weight in deerhounds, with tables of comparative weights according to sex. Promises information on weights of deerhound puppies. Effects of cross- and inbreeding.

Summary

Recounts the trip back from St Petersburg – visits to botanic gardens and museums throughout Western Europe.

Pleased that CD admired Bentham’s address [see 6793]. JDH had read it in MS and modified some very heterodox passages about insularity. CD has hit the flaw in it.

F. A. W. Miquel is a convert.

Summary

Encloses a letter [from J. Croll?].

Has been unable to find a paper CD wanted.

Is leaving shortly for Paris.

Summary

Sends a list of queries for AG.

Asks whether AG can supply specimens for illustrations [for Descent]. Hopes Mr Ford will do the drawings.

Summary

Haeckel wants British specimens of calcareous sponges. Can THH tell him to whom he can apply?

Health not improving – cannot climb even a hill.

Has heard THH’s article on Comte ["Scientific aspects of Positivism", Lay sermons (1870)] is a splendid success.

Summary

Responds to questions about sex ratios at birth and mortality in either sheep or cattle.

Summary

Translation of Für Darwin has been published [Facts and arguments for Darwin (1869)].

Discusses dimorphic plants, commenting on FM’s observations on Oxalis.

Is greatly interested in Eschscholzia, which seems somewhat more self-sterile in Brazil than in England.

Thinks FM’s grass is "most wonderful".

Summary

Glad JTM intends to write a paper. Discusses JTM’s research on Arbutus.

CD’s riding accident.

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

Discusses need for cross-fertilisation in Geranium.

Hooker begins to doubt whether Drosophyllum so closely allied to Drosera.

Summary

Gives details of some crossing experiments with Eschscholzia.

Describes the grass Streptochaeta, which FM believes to be a primitive grass.

Relates some observations on maize that are well explained by Pangenesis.

Summary

Dedication of Malay Archipelago to CD.

Comments on scientific papers.

Summary

Thanks for specimen of Drosophyllum.

Describes capacity of various plants to catch flies.

Cannot name fern specimen.

Laugher pigeon descended from Columba livia.

Discusses tailless dogs.

Believes astronomical phenomenon responsible for oscillation of level of earth’s crust.

Would WCT like copy of Orchids?

Expected plants [Drosophyllum] have arrived.

Summary

Observations on fertilisation of Lapageria rosea by E. G. Henderson, florist of St John’s Wood.

Summary

"My health got so bad I could do nothing at Down".

Gives information about migration of male and female birds.

Summary

Thanks for answers about expression.

Is going to N. Wales to recover after his riding accident.

New edition of Origin.

French edition of Orchids.

Summary

Sends CD a paper ["Ant-agency in plant structure", published in Spruce Notes of a botanist on the Amazon and Andes, ed. A. R. Wallace (1908)] on plant structures he believes are the work of insects; asks him to forward it to the Linnean Society [read 15 Apr 1869].

Writes of his support for the Origin, before which he had been much concerned by the delimitation of so-called species.

Summary

Orchids translation should goad [French] Academy into electing CD.

JDH will be sent to St Petersburg congress by Government.

Huxley on protoplasm; his address to Geological Society.

Fertilised an Aucuba with pollen of various species. Reports on results.

Summary

Discusses CD’s health and James Paget’s "verdict".

Summary

Expands upon their differences in regard to man and the question of the existence of forces not yet recognised by science.