Summary

Asks GHKT about eyes of screaming elephants.

Summary

Thanks for papers.

Discusses case of the Asturian plants and HH’s view of their introduction through the agency of man. Although botanists question whether plants are thus introduced, those working closely on insular floras are admitting this view more and more.

Summary

Supports relocating the Calcutta Botanic Garden to a site near the Himalayas.

Summary

CD seeks information on the variation of ocelli within species of butterflies.

Summary

Congratulates FH on graft-hybrid of potato. Importance of FH’s discovery to be discussed in Variation [2d ed., 1: 420].

Summary

Thanks for plant names.

H. C. Watson a renegade about natural selection. Discusses HCW’s views.

F. Müller’s letter enclosed.

Friedrich Hildebrand’s experiments are splendid for Pangenesis [Die Geschlechter-Vertheilung bei den Pflanzen (1867)].

Summary

CD exasperated by Dallas’ delay in finishing index [for Variation]. "I am prepared to throw the Index overboard."

Thinks JM should reconsider publishing a translation of Brehm’s Thierleben. It is excellent and would "sell largely".

Summary

CD was frustrated by the delay [in producing index for Variation], but was quite mollified by WSD’s note; is sorry the work turned out so badly for him.

Summary

Thanks RT for drawings of ocelli, especially for the description of ocelli of S. African Saturniidae. Would like to know of any cases in which the ocelli are confined to the male, to illustrate better the case of the peacock.

Summary

CD thanks JBI for contribution to Down school.

George [Darwin] has passed his examination at Cambridge;

Henrietta has been poorly.

Summary

Thanks AG for his essay on geology and Athenian history [see 5784].

Comments on French rejection of evolution. "How strange that the country of Buffon, Geoffroy and especially Lamarck should now cling to species as immutable creations."

Variation will soon appear in French.

Summary

Thanks for information on expression.

Poor progress of civilisation in South Africa. CD’s doubts and fears about democracy.

JPMW’s views on glaciation in S. Africa will discredit him unless supported by clearest evidence.

Summary

Congratulations on GHD’s brilliant tripos success.

Summary

FG’s congratulations [on publication of Variation] have given CD pleasure.

Trusts that FG is well again.

Summary

Is sending a copy of Variation [to be published in a few days]. It cost more labour than it is worth.

George Darwin is Second Wrangler.

Summary

Grieved by Wollaston’s troubles. Offers contribution of £100. "How foolish men are in their investments."

Delight about George’s success.

Summary

Thanks JvH for J. Stack’s answers [to queries about expression]. Though few, they are the best and clearest he has received. Sends a corrected printed version of queries.

Belatedly thanks JvH for his splendid report on glaciers [missing].

CD lives "in constant state of overwork and fatigue".

Everyone astonished by Dinornis photos.

Summary

Thanks for note about George Darwin’s gaining Second Wrangler.

Summary

Thanks JMH for his congratulations.

Recalls gift of microscope [from JMH in 1831]. [See 99].

Summary

Sends Variation and would like to hear what FM thinks of Pangenesis.

Thanks for information on expression.

Dimorphic plants;

differences in seed production in cross- and self-fertilised plants.