Summary

Discusses arrangements for American edition of Variation.

Observations on apparently inherited instinct in a dog.

Summary

Answers for father, who is ill, on difference between manes of stallions and mares.

Summary

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

Summary

Notes on the taxonomy of Primula.

Summary

On the proportion of sexes in crabs; coloration and structural differences.

Summary

Corrections [incorporated in 2d issue of Variation].

Summary

Amazed that Hugo von Mohl and E. M. Fries are not foreign members of Royal Society; Thomson going over the whole matter.

Candolle’s contribution to botany.

Lubbock shocked about Wollaston.

CD’s answer to Greg was capital.

Comments on Variation.

Charles Murchison’s work on Falconer’s Memoirs [Palaeontological memoirs and notes of the late Hugh Falconer (1868)] and JDH on Falconer.

Summary

Thanks CD for the gift of his new work [Variation].

Summary

His Majesty the King of Prussia has conferred upon CD the Order, Pour le Mérite, for Sciences and Arts.

Summary

Congratulates [G. H. Darwin] on being Second Wrangler.

Thanks CD for Variation.

Summary

Sends some Australian boiled beef for CD to sample.

Congratulations on George Darwin’s success at Cambridge.

Summary

Discussion of the pig in light of CD’s Variation.

Work of Hermann von Nathusius [Die Racen des Schweines (1860)].

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

Advance sale of Variation has exhausted the 1500 copies printed. Murray sends note for £300 author’s payment. Wants to print 1250 more immediately.

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

Would like a look at Nathusius.

Edward Blyth’s inability to recognise cats’ skulls.

Summary

Forwards a letter from Secretary of Yorkshire Philosophical Society. Hopes CD will honour them by accepting.

Has heard nothing of Variation.

Summary

Thanks for Variation.

Reports work on his travel book [The Malay Archipelago (1869)].

Summary

Colour differences in annelids and entozoa.

Summary

Thanks for loan of Variation. "The Saturday Sadducees" do not believe there are a hundred people who understand the argument. EC fancies he does.