Summary

Has received English edition of Variation. First volume of German edition came three months ago. Comments on book.

Will send copy of recent lectures on human evolution [Entstehung des Menschengeschlechts (1868)]. Gegenbaur much interested in the subject.

Considers Selachius the ancestral form of the fish and hence of all higher vertebrates. Believes their swim-bladder became lung of amphibians.

Mentions cases of hybrid crosses between rabbits and hares producing fertile offspring.

Summary

Describes his lectures on CD’s theory.

Thanks CD for copy of Variation. Comments on book.

Describes work of two protégés in Jena: Nicolas von Miklucho[-Maclay] and Anton Dohrn.

His cousin, Wilhelm Bleek, is sending an article about the origin of language.

Asks to keep book a few months longer but will return it if CD needs it [Webb and Berthelot, Histoire naturelle des Îles Canaries, vol. 3, pt 1: Géographie botanique (1840)].

Describes research on Siphonophora.

Describes life in Jena. Mentions alpine accident during wedding trip.

Summary

Thanks CD for article by G. H. Lewes ["Mr Darwin’s hypotheses, pt 1", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 3 (1868): 353–73]. Comments on article.

Describes hybridisation experiment carried out on rabbits and hares by Dr Conrad.

Encloses description of Monera

and a phylogenetic table of vertebrates.

Mentions work on Medusae.

The controversy over CD in Germany.

Summary

Thanks CD for new edition of Origin [4th ed. (1866)].

Comments on CD’s criticism of the harsh tone of Generelle Morphologie. Thinks he may have harmed himself but not the cause. Believes a radical reform of the science necessary, and since most scientists take a prejudiced view of the matter, a vigorous attack is essential.

Describes his travels in Canaries, Spain, and France.

Summary

Sends birthday wishes.

Discusses work on Medusae.

Recalls visit to Down.

Summary

Sends birthday wishes. Album of photographs from German admirers has been sent.

Plans trip to Mediterranean.

Summary

Thanks CD for comments on Freie Wissenschaft und freie Lehre [1878].

Describes work on Medusae.

Describes work on Challenger Radiolaria and publication plans.

Summary

Describes new journal, Kosmos, to be edited by Ernst Krause. Asks CD to lend his name to journal.

Has sent Anthropogenie, 3d ed.

Will send his study [Biologische Studien, pt 2: Studien zur Gastraea-theorie (1877)] in January.

Thanks CD for hospitality at Down.

Summary

Sends Die Perigenesis der Plastidule [1876]. Comments on CD’s theory of Pangenesis. Explains his own theory of Perigenesis.

Returns Webb and Berthelot, Îles Canaries; Géographie botanique [1840].

Describes work on 3d ed. of Anthropogenie.

Summary

Thanks CD for Origin, 6th ed.

Has declined chair at Strasbourg.

Describes research on calcareous sponges.

Criticises Pangenesis.

Summary

Received copy of Descent.

Discusses CD’s comments on EH’s work.

Speculates about reception by press and scientists.

Remarks on sexual selection;

on human relationship to catarrhine apes.

Has rejected offer of chair at Vienna.

Compares Jena to Down.

Describes growth of his salary.

Mentions birth of Emma Haeckel.

A. M. Norman’s collection of calcareous sponges is very valuable.