Summary

Sends his review of St George Mivart’s book [Genesis of species] [North Am. Rev. 113 (1871): 64–103] in which CW defends natural selection.

Summary

Discusses revising his North American Review article [see 7829] for publication as a pamphlet in England.

Plans to publish a further article on phyllotaxy.

Summary

Thanks CD for copies of the pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)].

His memoir on phyllotaxy [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. n.s. 9 (1867–73): 379–415] will soon be printed.

Has met CD’s sons.

Summary

Discusses Mivart’s reply ["Genesis of species", North Am. Rev. 114 (1872): 451–68] to CW’s review and to Huxley.

Asks whether CD knows anyone to whom he could usefully send a copy of his phyllotaxy paper [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. n.s. 9 (1867–73): 379–415].

Summary

Has replied [in North Am. Rev. 115 (1872): 1–30] to Mivart’s communication to the North American Review [114 (1872): 451–68].

Discusses the degree of fixedness of different characters in organisms.

Summary

Discusses ideas on the development of language; agrees with CD that it is a process governed by unconscious selection; he considers it analogous to unconscious selection of domestic animals by savages. Remarks on the differing views of Max Müller and W. D. Whitney regarding the origin of language and its development. Comments on the extent to which unintentional effects can be ascribed directly to the agency of free intelligent wills.

Summary

Arranges to visit CD at Down.

Summary

Discusses the mental powers and habits of animals and considers that those of man are not separated from those of animals by any sort of fundamental barrier; the gulf seems formidable only from a self-conscious, human point of view. Man’s important distinction is his greater ability to act and respond independently of external stimuli, in consequence of his internal accumulation of personal experience.

Summary

Writes at length on the origins and meanings of particular head movements as used to express assent or disagreement, especially the sideways movements of the head as an expression of consideration or contemplation.

Also discusses space and colour perception.

Summary

Speculates on the function of eyebrows and of hair and the furrows of the forehead. Considers many features and faculties to serve, or to have served, more than one function, either simultaneously or successively. Determining the one function through which natural selection has acted in developing it is unrealistic and not worth while.