Summary

Sends information from a Kent sheep-breeder.

Summary

Corrects T. M. Brewer’s statement, cited in the Origin, that the American cuckoo never uses other birds’ nests. [See Origin, 5th ed., p. 266.]

Summary

A case of fighting in crabs (Portunus puber against Carcinus maenas) [see Descent 1: 332].

Summary

Sends translation of Mr Steiger’s letter responding to question CD had asked about growth of horns of merino rams.

Summary

Lyell says CD is revising what he says about the Weald in the Origin. Asks CD to look at his subaerial denudation views in his book [Physical geology and geography of Great Britain, 2d ed. (1864)].

Summary

Gives consent, which is unnecessary because term of protection has expired, for French translation of Journal of researches.

Is at a loss to know how many copies of F. Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin to print.

The printer is ready for copy for a new "edition" of Variation. [Presumably another issue. 2d edition did not appear until 1875.]

Summary

Argues for great age of earth before the Cambrian period. Opposes measuring age from secular cooling. Opposes Sir William Thomson. Lyell’s error on secular cooling.

Thanks for Moseley citation ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

In Edinburgh he feels out of touch with latest developments.

Summary

Believes that species or genus may have originated more than once from separate ancestors, i.e., polyphyletically.

Discusses relation of CD’s theory to religion. Has written popular account of CD’s theory in Dutch [Darwin en de Godsdienst (1869)].

Summary

Has inquired about magnetic storms. Any effect that could be produced by the sun’s energy in retarding the cooling of the earth would be utterly insignificant.

Tells of his visit to Eton.

Is uncertain about next steps to take for a legal career.

Summary

Pleased by CD’s good opinion and offer to provide material. Discusses work he would do on cirripedes.

Moritz Wagner’s views on migration of species;

his doubts about Fritz Müller’s views on developmental stages of Crustacea.

Summary

Down School funds.

Summary

Sends MS. Asks CD to recommend it to a scientific society.

Summary

Librarian to the Board of Trade proposes a celebration of CD’s 60th birthday by the Vienna Free Press.

Summary

Returns a book on beavers borrowed from CD.

Summary

Down School funds.

Summary

Explains the point about gravitation and heat that CD does not understand in J. Croll’s letter [6218?].

Cambridge news.

Summary

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

Summary

Thanks for abstract of Moseley’s paper on motion of glaciers [see 6599]. Reading it convinced him that Tyndall’s received view is wrong. Has formed a new view, which he has sent to Philosophical Magazine [4th ser. 37 (1869): 201–6].

Summary

Sends CD his pamphlet [Über Landwirtschaftlichen Genossenschaften (1868)];

expresses his admiration for CD’s work.

Summary

Habits of the fallow deer during the breeding season. [See Descent, 2d ed., p. 803.]