Summary

Asks correspondent to thank Thomas Laycock for his references. CD has been away from home and has not yet consulted his copy of Laycock’s Mind and brain [1860].

Summary

Replies to Francis Galton’s paper on tranfusing blood between rabbits to test Pangenesis [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 19 (1871): 393–40]. FG’s conclusion that his experiments prove Pangenesis to be false is "a little hasty", since CD had never maintained that gemmules in the blood formed any part of his hypothesis.

Summary

Sends contribution of £5 to Settle Cave Exploration Fund.

Summary

J. S. Mill’s account of the moral sense in Utilitarianism [1863] appears muddled. [See Descent 1: 71 n.]

Summary

CD’s photographs have been sent to [J. W. A.] McDonald, the sculptor, who will make a marble bust for the Liberal Club of New York and a bronze or plaster one for sale; CD will receive a copy. CD has been elected an Honorary Member of the Club, and

CB asks whether he could give them a few words of advice on a practical method of biological study for beginners.

Summary

Expressions in attitudes of prayer and adoration.

Summary

His beard is darker than his hair, an exception to CD’s rule in Descent [2: 319]. Encloses sample of his hair, beard, and whiskers.

Summary

Points out errata in Descent.

Summary

Discusses his concept of beauty. "I daresay I have made too much of natural selection".

Summary

Protests against FJW making the struggle for existence still more odious by calling it ‘selfish competition’.

Summary

Sexual differences in sloths. J. G. Wagler article on sloths [Isis 24 (1831): 604–12].

Summary

Encloses notes that illustrate apparent intelligent reasoning by a dog which tricked an adversary, and by an elephant peaceably enduring a painful operation.

Summary

Apologises for shortcomings of his argument in earlier letters, explaining he has had little scientific education, but a life-long interest in progressive development. Resumes theorising.

Summary

A friend with similar interests has asked to be introduced to CD, as he has some facts that will amuse him.

Summary

Corrects error in his letter [7652] about date of Wagler article in Isis. Wagler said it was females that had the yellow dorsal spot.

Summary

Comments on discussion of residual organs in Descent [ch. 1].

Describes his ability to contract the platysma myoides at will.

Suggests reason for loss of voluntary movement of ears in men and monkeys.

Summary

Sends photographs of general paralytics. Expressions of exaltation of [these?] patients do not come out well in the photographs.

Is experimenting with idiots under his care. Has been unable to produce a blush in any one of them.

Summary

Discusses loss of voluntary movement of ears in man and monkey.

Summary

Sexual selection in deer.

Assemblies of black cocks.

Nests of spotted flycatcher.

Summary

Corrects CD on his assertion that the platysma myoides "cannot voluntarily be brought into action" [Descent 1: 19].