Summary

Glad to hear about colours of Hylobates.

Cannot find any statement about which digits in man are most subject to syndactylism in Isidore Geoffroy [Saint-Hilaire]’s Histoire des anomalies [1832–7].

Asks questions concerned with seasonal and sexual changes in plumage of various bird species.

Does male woodpecker share in incubation?

Summary

Has found EB’s MS most interesting and valuable. Fully half the facts were new to him; will probably use some.

Summary

Reports another case of syndactylism.

Summary

Questions from CD related to bird plumage and sexual differences, with answers by EB.

Summary

Discusses the top-knot turkey and the occasional appearance of the top-knot in a breed of cream-coloured turkeys.

Summary

Has examined three races of the mouflon sheep and remarks on the extent of variation in them.

Summary

Gives CD a reference to one of his papers ["Remarks on the modes of variation of nearly affined species or races of birds", J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 19 (1850): 221–9]

and discusses moulting in birds.

Quotes instance of an action by an elephant that apparently displays considerable intelligence.

Summary

Wonders if George Darwin can explain why a thin stream of water poured from a jug always spirals right to left.

Summary

Thanks CD for invitation to Down.

Summary

EB is moving to Wiltshire for a week.

Tells CD of animals acquired, or about to be acquired, by the Zoological Garden.

Summary

Replies to CD’s questions on sexual differences in birds.

Summary

Discusses the origin and characters of sheep breeds, particularly the merino.

Reports observations on reversion to wild type in canary mules

and lists some animals that show a unique development restricted to one side of their bodies.

Summary

Recommends J. Scott’s paper on crossing varieties of Verbascum.

Summary

Discusses the human foot and its abnormalities; notes an example of syndactylism.

Gives his observations on sexual differences in coloration of terns and ostriches.

Summary

Reports on newly discovered Sclater’s pea-fowl from Cochin China.

Summary

Discusses apes and their relationships to each other. Writes particularly of the gibbon, its structure and well-developed legs giving it the ability to walk without using its hands.

Summary

Discusses mule canaries which show a tendency to revert to wild plumage colours.

Summary

Discusses peacocks and the rediscovery of the long-lost crested turkey.

Summary

Describes his tour of the Netherlands. Reports on some of the specimens he saw on his trip.

Discusses the coloration of hair in aged monkey

and sexual differences in bird species.