Summary

Reports information sent by E. Schulte [12254] on the colours of the male Diadema bolina.

Discusses extent to which consciousness came into play in the origin of certain instincts, including sexual display.

Summary

CD has repeated a test of whether hybrids of the common and Chinese goose are fertile inter se. Reports his success, and comments on its significance for the theory of descent.

Summary

Movement of cotton plant cotyledons.

Thanks JDH for his praise of Erasmus Darwin.

Delighted that JDH is thinking about geographical distribution, wishes he would go over the New Zealand flora again.

Summary

Thanks ERS for information about variation in horses.

Summary

Were the hybrid geese FBG sent to CD brother and sister from the same hatch? CD intends to send a letter on their breeding to Nature [Collected papers 2: 219–20].

Summary

Gives his opinion on vivisection. CD detests cruelty but believes that physiology "is one of the most important sciences" and that it cannot progress without experiments on living animals.

Summary

Wants some apheliotropic plants for experiments.

Summary

Would like to subscribe to English edition of Weismann.

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Thanks for AG’s trouble about the seeds. Is curious to see their germination and the early seedling growth.

Asks for cotton seeds, as he observes odd movements of the cotyledon.

Summary

Miss Arabella Buckley’s letter on Wallace’s poor health and finances leads CD to seek JDH’s aid in getting a Government pension.

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Discusses possibility of Government pension for Wallace.

Summary

JDH convinces CD not to press for pension for Wallace.

Summary

Has discussed with Hooker possibility of Government pension for Wallace. Hooker is pessimistic.

Summary

What a foolish idea seems to prevail in Germany on the connection between Socialism and Evolution through Natural Selection.

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Glad to hear about vines.

Hopes JT will be able to continue work without Government aid. "It is enough to sicken one to see how politicians waste their time squabbling and neglect doing any good."

Summary

Thanks for MS as it shows many of Erasmus Darwin’s ideas were formed 20 years before he published Zoonomia. Would like to publish last letter if there is a second edition of his little book. MS will be returned registered post.

Summary

Package of wheat varieties from Russia lost in transit.

Summary

Sends M. Guthrie’s book [On Mr Spencer’s formula of evolution (1879)], although HEL may not care to read it having seen Moulton’s letter [12350].