Summary

Asks whether he may have right to translate Variation into German.

Summary

Trail’s case is interesting, hopes it is true.

Has little faith in I. Anderson-Henry’s exactness.

Pleased with Paris exposition.

Summary

Asks CD to decide which translator he would prefer for Variation. JVC frankly thinks Carl Vogt not the best man to introduce CD to the German public, though he has a greater name than JVC.

Vogt now preaches materialism in its most absurd form.

Summary

On cost of electrotypes from woodcuts for Variation and price to charge Schweizerbart.

Summary

Will send CD a memoir on Les microcéphales [1867]; CV believes microcephalism is an atavistic abnormality.

Recommends H. von Nathusius’ work on domestic pig [Die Racen des Schweines (1860)].

Summary

Sends £600 bequeathed by Susan Darwin to CD’s younger children.

Summary

Sends Orchis.

Is coming to London.

Summary

Asks whether his former pupil, J. J. Moulinié, might translate Variation into French for Reinwald. CV would provide a preface. Encloses letter from Moulinié to Reinwald.

Summary

Agrees to use Murray’s stereotypes.

Offers to send rug made from a black Russian bear he shot.

Summary

Describes his view on colour [of plumage] of males and females – i.e., that absence of brilliant colour in either sex is due to need for protection in incubation, rather than to sexual selection.

Summary

Sends a root of a wild oat-grass from California and the root of a variety of barley that came from it. Several varieties of barley, all differing from English varieties, came up in the same bed of oat-grass. "The transmutation of a genus seems almost incredible" but TR has seen so many changes he has ceased to doubt strongly.

Summary

Letter of introduction to CD for CLB’s friend Robert S. Rowley.

Summary

Describes his attempts to cross different varieties of borecole, and the results of the crosses.

Summary

Writes about the Carl Vogt and J. J. Moulinié translation [of Variation].

Summary

Never imagined that the facts about sexual selection could be new to CD. Thought fact that brightly coloured females build concealed nests and almost all those in which sexes differ remarkably build exposed nests might be new to him. Some problems remain. Sends his notes for CD to use if he wants.

Summary

Through Carl Vogt, he has received the right to translate Variation into French [(1868), preface by Carl Vogt].

Summary

Asks whether CD will subscribe to a memorial for Richard Dawes [1793–1867].

Summary

Weisse of Stuttgart is keen to publish a translation of the book on which CD is working [Variation].

Summary

Thanks CD for new edition of Origin [4th ed. (1866)].

Comments on CD’s criticism of the harsh tone of Generelle Morphologie. Thinks he may have harmed himself but not the cause. Believes a radical reform of the science necessary, and since most scientists take a prejudiced view of the matter, a vigorous attack is essential.

Describes his travels in Canaries, Spain, and France.

Summary

JvH will help with expression queries. Considers CD’s investigation highly important and original. Sends list of men to whom he is sending copies of the questions.