Summary

Is sorry to hear of bad health of CD and his daughter.

Discusses, with an example, the difficulty of explaining structural differences between closely allied species.

Summary

His doctor urges CD most strongly not to expose himself to the excitement and fatigue of receiving the [Wollaston] Medal. He will ask Lyell to receive it on his behalf.

Summary

CD sees JL’s cases of same organs varying greatly in allied forms as a serious difficulty in regard to his own ideas.

Summary

Undergoing hydropathic treatment for his old ailment.

The "Abstract" [Origin] is the cause. Only two chapters to do.

His satisfaction that he believes he has convinced Hooker and Huxley and staggered Lyell.

Summary

Discusses events at Moor Park and domestic matters.

Summary

Sends naturalists’ autographs.

Enjoyed fortnight at Moor Park.

Summary

Sends list of poultry breeds he would like.

Summary

Development of aphids; apparent absence of vermiform stage.

Summary

Writes about their new billiard table.

Summary

Has finished geographical distribution chapter and asks JDH to read it.

Is it just to say embryological characters are of high importance in plant classification?

Summary

Sends payment for poultry received.

Summary

Will read JDH’s printers’ slips on variation.

CD has been so ill, he wonders whether he will get his book done, though so nearly completed.

Summary

Sends THH questions about "serial homologies" and "vegetative repetition" in Mollusca and Radiata.

Abstract volume [Origin] nearly completed.

Summary

Wants examples of insects (especially Diptera) in which embryo resembles adult, to show that the metamorphic stages may be lost.

Summary

Serial homologies in the Mollusca. Gives instances of repetition of homological parts in Radiata.

Summary

Outlines the basic categories of phanerogams.

Places Gymnospermae in the dicotyledons.

Evaluates the variable utility of embryological characters in plant classification.

Summary

Sends MS [of Origin] on geographical distribution. Wants JDH to correct facts and say what he most vehemently objects to.

Has received JDH’s note on plant embryology.

Summary

Thanks for THH’s examples of serially modified and homologous parts in Radiata. Cannot understand how he forgot such cases.

Agassiz’s Essay on classification [1859] utterly impracticable rubbish.

Summary

Writes of events at Down: mostly of playing billiards on their new table.

Summary

Will finish last chapter (except recapitulation) tomorrow.

Pleased with JDH’s response to geographical distribution chapter;

CD disagrees with Lyell’s view that glacial epoch is connected with position of continents.