Summary

Because readers have arrived at different answers to the problem of the rate of increase of elephants, CD offers a rule, used by his son George, for calculating the product for any number of generations.

[Letter erroneously dated June.]

Summary

Thanks for facts on inheritance. May be used if CD corrects 3d ed. [2d ed.] of Variation.

Summary

"My health got so bad I could do nothing at Down".

Gives information about migration of male and female birds.

Summary

Thanks for procuring eggs.

CD’s health has necessitated his leaving home.

Summary

Comments on 5th edition of the Origin [1869];

preparation of second edition of Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte [1870].

The reception of CD’s theory. Mentions support of Pieter Harting and Michael Sars.

EH’s research on calcareous sponges and plans to publish monograph on them.

Summary

Asks for reference to Louis Agassiz’s views on embryos indicating ancestral structures.

Summary

Observations on expression and colour of beard and hair in natives of India.

Summary

Observations on flies visiting Epipactis.

Summary

Introduces his son Alexander; believes CD will find him "more tractable" on certain questions than LA himself is.

Summary

Comments on WO’s paper on Salvia [Pop. Sci. Rev. 8 (1869): 261–73], which he admires.

Summary

Thanks him for his excellent observations [on Epipactis?]; would like WED to watch for some large insect visiting the plant.

Summary

WO very gratified by CD’s complimentary remarks on his Salvia article.

Summary

Simeon Habel of New York has returned from Galapagos. CD has asked him to send any plants to JDH.

Reading Nägeli convinces him that it is all-important to learn all about polymorphic or protean genera for the "Laws of Variability".

New Zealand genera are interesting and have perplexed him for years.

Has read paper on snakes. Thinks it is not fascination but fear that makes the victim fall into snake’s power.

Summary

Haeckel wants British specimens of calcareous sponges. Can THH tell him to whom he can apply?

Health not improving – cannot climb even a hill.

Has heard THH’s article on Comte ["Scientific aspects of Positivism", Lay sermons (1870)] is a splendid success.

Summary

Asks for a testimonial.

Summary

Drosophyllum lusitanicum.

Believes principle of natural selection can be more widely applied.

Flower structure of Geranium.

Summary

Bees visiting Epipactis.

Summary

Would be glad to send GRG a testimonial of his abilities as a naturalist, but is not qualified to express opinion on his works in ornithology or entomology.

Summary

Gives information on the proportions of sexes of certain moths. [See Descent 1: 313.]

Summary

Has already referred Haeckel’s request to J. S. Bowerbank.

Has lost track of collectors and naturalists "by grace of the dredge" because of other work and ""the great question of "Darwinismus" which is such a worry to us all"".

Family health.