Summary

Thanks GM for a curious lily.

Recommends some papers on coal.

Gives his opinion on the importance of forming theories if one is to be a good and original observer.

Summary

Believes GM’s human bones from Gibraltar must be of very doubtful age. Lyell agrees, but feels any skull found should be forwarded to George Busk or Hugh Falconer.

Suggests GM look carefully for shells in the drift.

Summary

Discusses the deposition of coal and considers the possibility of coal aggregating into seams after deposition.

Summary

CD too unwell to write but has signed the [unspecified] paper and forwarded it as requested.

Summary

Discusses the structure and particular uniformities of the Shropshire coal-seams and surrounding strata; speculates on their origins.

Summary

Recommendation of the admission of George Maw to the fellowship of the Geological Society of London.

Summary

Has obtained fossils from Gibraltar that he believes are human. Requests Lyell’s address so that he can send the bones.

Summary

Falconer’s letter [attacking CL, Athenæum 4 Apr 1863, pp. 459–60] is most unjust.

Regrets his letter [to Athenæum, on heterogeny] now criticised by Owen.

Comments on article by Samuel Haughton [On the form of cells made by wasps – with an appendix on the origin of species (1863)].

Mentions forthcoming reviews by Asa Gray [in Am. J. Sci.].

Summary

Thinks GM’s Pelargonium is a case of true correlated characters. Feels secondary sexual characters are only accidental correlations; does not see the same necessity for close simultaneous development of certain characters as GM does.

Will forward a copy of his Orchids.

Summary

Returns CD’s pamphlets.

Wishes CD would work out further what keeps certain species immutable for great periods.

Feels himself a convert, but cannot go all lengths with CD.

Feels some reviewers distort CD’s argument.

Summary

Reports a monstrous pig that looks like an elephant. It was born of a pregnant sow which had been frightened by a circus elephant. He offers the monster, which died at birth, to any London museum.

Summary

Fossil flora of the Carboniferous. Variation of forms found in coal analogous to succession of forms in peat-bogs.

Summary

Forwards a communication from A. Fonblanque for possible publication in Natural History Review. [See "Notice of mule breeding", Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 5 (1865): 147–8.]

Summary

Was reminded of CD by his new book [Descent] in a shop;

reports having come on train as far as Bromley in previous summer, but found no means of travelling the seven miles to Down. Might try again.

Summary

Sends GB a selection of reviews of the Origin from his collection of about 90, with his opinion of some of them.