Summary

Since March has been living in Heidelberg, where his wife is studying mathematics and physics.

The Russian translation of Variation has been printed in his absence; he will bring a copy to Down if he receives one from Russia.

Summary

Red tape leaves no time for botany.

New ministry laudably attempting economies.

Summary

Huxley has shown him the jaws of an Anoplotherium brought from the Gallegos by R. O. Cunningham.

Saw Hallett’s wheat crops at Brighton; results of his selection very striking.

Huxley is assembling his Darwiniana papers for republication.

Has written a crushing reply to Richard Congreve ["The scientific aspects of positivism", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 5 (1869): 653–70] and JDH feels "infantine" beside him.

Comments on Sabine’s being offered and accepting K.C.B.

Summary

Inquires about arrangements for the German translation and publication of their original Linnean Society papers [Collected papers 2: 3–19].

ARW thinks he has hit upon a solution to problem of geological time.

Summary

Argues that [general variability] of species, not single variations or sports, is basis for modification and adaptation to new conditions.

Summary

Wishes to translate CD’s forthcoming work on man into French.

Summary

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

Summary

Will do his best on the tooth [sent by CD] but does not put much weight on conclusions based on a single tooth of a horse.

Darwin attacked by three clergymen at BAAS meeting [Exeter, 1869].

Summary

Bees visiting Epipactis.

Summary

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

Summary

Sends Guardian containing Hutton’s paper on CD.

Discusses Henry Powell, the new vicar of Down, and plans for the parsonage.

Summary

Would like to translate Descent into German, if Carus is not doing so.

Summary

Returns a book on beavers borrowed from CD.

Summary

Immature male spiders usually resemble in colour the females of their species of the same age. In some species colours of sexes differ when mature.

Summary

Reports on events at Exeter [BAAS] meeting. G. G. Stokes made a first-rate President.

Huxley "poured boiling oil" over James McCann in answer to his "conceited dogmatic sermon".

F. A. W. Miquel is coming to stay.

Summary

Looks forward to Descent, though he expects to find more to differ with than in any other of CD’s books.

Problems of usefulness of incipient organs and of the independent origin of similar complex organs are real difficulties.

Plans a little book on "Distribution of animals".

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

Drosophyllum lusitanicum.

Believes principle of natural selection can be more widely applied.

Flower structure of Geranium.

Summary

Sends abstract of an article by Carrière [J. Agric. Pratique 1 (1869): 159–67] on the improvement of wild radish by selection.

Summary

Dedication of Malay Archipelago to CD.

Comments on scientific papers.