Summary

Has received a baffling article on God, immortality, and socialism under a Darwinian point of view.

Clerk Maxwell has disagreed with CD on molecular calculations in relation to Pangenesis in Encyclopaedia Britannica article ["Atom", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th ed. (1875) 3: 36–49].

Summary

Thanks for Catasetum and other specimens.

Summary

Sends £25 subscription, though he is not a churchman.

Summary

Hopes GdeS will publish on subjects discussed in his letter [10587]. CD had noted similar persistence of variation in fossil shells.

Calls his attention to Nägeli’s work on Hieracium.

Expresses skepticism about O. Heer’s view that dicotyledonous plants developed suddenly. Believes they must have developed slowly in some part of the globe completely isolated from other regions.

Summary

CD grieves over death of Frank’s wife Amy; worries that it will weaken Frank’s determination to pursue his scientific work.

Summary

Reports the death of Francis’ wife, Amy.

Summary

Thanks JS for three essays. Has read with great interest the essay on the basking shark ["Sur les appareils tamiseurs ou fanons branchiaux du Pélerin", Kjo|benhaven Oversigt (1873): 47–66]. The explanation that the comb-like structures are of the nature of teeth is a "most wonderful case".

Sends his photograph.

Summary

Informs LD of the death of Francis Darwin’s wife, Amy.

Summary

Thanks GWN for condolences on death of Amy, his daughter-in-law.

Summary

Discusses death of his daughter-in-law

and possible visit by EH.

Summary

Discusses the death of his daughter-in-law.

Plans to visit Southampton.

Summary

Forwards chapter [of Orchids (1877)] for correction.

Sadness at the death of Amy.

Summary

CD thanks JDH for his condolences. Amy’s baby will live with the Darwins.

Summary

Encloses coral specimen and manuscript account of it by William Lonsdale.

Summary

Asks WCM to design additional rooms for Down House.

Summary

Pleased to hear of Peter Henderson’s intended experiment [on Drosera, see 10588]. Asks that she tell Mr Henderson that he believes good derived from animal diet will be shown only by production of larger number of seeds and more luxuriant growth in the ensuing year. Wishes to hear the results.

Summary

Would like to see the pigeons, though he is not likely to work on the subject again. When he hears from Dr Scully, he will present them to the British Museum.

Has not had time to use the information about earthworms yet, but hopes to use it in about a year’s time.

Summary

Suggests German works worth translating.

Is glad FD is keeping busy; he has worked excellently on proof-sheets [of Orchids (1877)].

Summary

Would like Catasetum and Acropera plants.

Summary

Thanks for sending Moritz Wagner’s letter and his essays [on "Der Naturprocess der Artbildung" in Das Ausland (1875)]. Will read them and write to Wagner when his health is better.

Declines to receive Scherzer at Down.