Summary

Explains how he, as "an orthodox clergyman" reading CD’s works, was totally convinced by his arguments. Expresses pleasure "that Science might make gigantic strides without offering such collateral opinions as, if true, would certainly dispense with clergymen altogether".

Summary

Is forwarding potted specimens of Drosophyllum.

Will make inquiries about sheep.

Summary

Thanks TCE for fawn’s head.

Summary

Wishes to introduce his son, George Howard Darwin.

Has glanced at the second of AdeQ’s articles on natural history in Revue de deux mondes; ordered first article but second is already out of print.

Summary

Transmits letter [from Fritz Müller].

Has been asked to permit a French translation of Orchids and Journal of researches.

At work on sexual selection.

Summary

Suggests best form of lettering for spine of Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin.

Summary

At writer’s request, forwards long letter on Comte by Vernon Lushington.

Summary

Weir’s paper on relation of protection to colour of caterpillars [Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6; (1870): 337–9] confirms ARW’s hypothesis.

Summary

Suggests that ground ice, in Canada and similar countries, is a mode of distribution of boulders and animal and vegetable life.

Summary

Nothing new in Lushington’s letter. Two paragraphs are offensive – that THH sought to stir up Scotch Presbyterian prejudices against Comte at Edinburgh and that he had not read Comte.

Summary

Orchids translation should goad [French] Academy into electing CD.

JDH will be sent to St Petersburg congress by Government.

Huxley on protoplasm; his address to Geological Society.

Fertilised an Aucuba with pollen of various species. Reports on results.

Summary

Thanks for money, which will enable him to complete publication. Explains principles of his physiological theory.

Summary

Differences in size and weight in deerhounds, with tables of comparative weights according to sex. Promises information on weights of deerhound puppies. Effects of cross- and inbreeding.

Summary

Apologises for passing on what he agrees were offensive remarks in V. Lushington’s letter. Has told VL he had no right to make them. Asks THH to make allowance for red-hot disciples defending the master.

Summary

Huxley has acknowledged receipt of VL’s letter. Both he and CD feel that some of VL’s statements were a little offensive although CD is sure this was not intended. Was glad to read the condensed statement of Comte’s claims in VL’s letter.

Summary

Thanks for specimen of Drosophyllum.

Describes capacity of various plants to catch flies.

Cannot name fern specimen.

Laugher pigeon descended from Columba livia.

Discusses tailless dogs.

Believes astronomical phenomenon responsible for oscillation of level of earth’s crust.

Would WCT like copy of Orchids?

Expected plants [Drosophyllum] have arrived.

Summary

Translation of Für Darwin has been published [Facts and arguments for Darwin (1869)].

Discusses dimorphic plants, commenting on FM’s observations on Oxalis.

Is greatly interested in Eschscholzia, which seems somewhat more self-sterile in Brazil than in England.

Thinks FM’s grass is "most wonderful".

Summary

Describes experiments with sterility in Abutilon.

Describes hermaphroditism in a wild Begonia in Brazil.

Has been observing humble bees on Salvia.

Summary

EF is seeking a French editor for Orchids [1870]. Introduces L. Rérolle, his student. [See 6667.]

Summary

Last letter was written to be passed on for Lushington’s edification. "(Standing on the points of my toes and my tail very stiff)." Is tiring of controversy as a waste of time. Begins to understand CD’s sufferings over Origin.