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

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

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

Summary

Is honoured to hear from JLC and would welcome the communication of any facts that he cares to send him.

Summary

Asks TW to persuade painters to observe how far down body blush extends on models.

Summary

Thanks for information about blushing of idiots.

Case of pregnant woman "truly wonderful".

Thanks for photographs.

Has found London photographer, O. G. Rejlander, with passion for photographing expression.

Received information about iris of eye from F. C. Donders; shows contraction and dilation of pupil is very complex.

Summary

Formally declines dinner invitation.

Summary

Agrees to have his or Emma Darwin’s name added to the General Committee for securing medical education to women.

Summary

Thanks for information on colour differences in sexes of Lemur.

Summary

Asks JC-B to read CD’s MS on confusion of mind, which often or generally accompanies blushing.

Summary

Discusses blushing. CD believes confusion of mind alone can account for it. Sends MS for JC-B’s comments and corrections.

Summary

Reports further observations on contraction of platysma. Has been assisted by J. Wood. [See Expression, pp. 302, 303.]

Summary

Has no idea who wrote the Times review [of Descent]. Writer has no knowledge of science and "seems a windbag full of metaphysics & classics".

Summary

Reports safe arrival of rabbits.

Summary

Cannot provide comment on GF’s paper for publication. Hopes GF will publish in Nature. Will consider his remarks when revising book [Descent].

Summary

Comments on JM’s review of Descent, vol. 2 [Pall Mall Gaz. 13 (1871): 1358–9].

Mistake CD made "in speaking of greatest happiness as the foundation of morals" is unintelligible to CD. Discusses J. S. Mill’s view of moral feelings as natural. Discusses basis of conscience.

Glad to read remarks on hive-bees.

Summary

Thanks for the report of CLB’s lecture about Descent to the New York Liberal Club on 3 March 1871.

Sends four photographs of himself for the sculptor J. W. A. MacDonald.