Summary

Has learned that Fritz Müller is HM’s brother.

Summary

Thanks CD for information.

Summary

Answers CD’s queries about polygamous birds. Does not think appearance of cock makes any difference to female. Dyeing the male has no effect on female.

Summary

Working on sexual differences in collection of horned beetles and will send CD results.

Answers CD’s questions [sent on behalf of Miss Tollet of Betley Hall, Staffs.] on mimicry – how it helps prevent extinction, the modifications occurring with a change of habitat until mimicry occurred.

Also gives some cases of sexual differences.

Summary

Believes beauty of male bird important for attracting mate in wild. Will be interested to hear how a dyed male pigeon is received by the hens.

Summary

Summarises his 12-page letter in which he responds to CD’s criticisms of his theory of ‘perfectibility’.

Summary

Would like tabulation of horned beetles if not too troublesome, but would easily settle for general remarks.

On the subject of other species mocking Heliconidae, asks whether full-coloured ones were mocked. Expresses full belief in HWB’s theory.

Encloses a copy of A. R. Wallace’s letter to the Field requesting observations on which caterpillars birds devour.

Summary

Baby’s situation hopeless.

E. Perceval Wright on way to Seychelles for collecting.

Summary

Finds that after 12 years among north-western Indians he can answer positively only one of CD’s queries about expression. They do blush from shame or anger.

Summary

Cites cases of difference in coloration between the sexes of some species of Crustacea, annelids, and spiders.

Discusses dimorphic plants and self-sterility.

Outlines some experiments involving the crossing of different species of orchids.

Encloses extract from Carl Claus, Die freilebenden Copepoden [1863].

Summary

Thanks for "Climbing plants" offprint and for references on fertilisation of flowers.

Considering the bounty of work already done, he is looking for something original to do.

Subularia does not grow in Westphalia.

Summary

Asks if he should give the clichés of Variation to E. Schweizerbart.

Summary

Begins to hope baby may survive; description of symptoms.

Summary

Rejoices over baby’s improvement.

Horace Darwin has intermittent fever.

Thanks JDH for page of the Farmer, a great service.

R. Trail’s potato grafting case would be of extreme value for demonstrating Pangenesis. [See Variation 1: 395.]

Summary

Asks JM not to send stereotypes [of Variation] to Schweizerbart until he has heard that Carus will translate it.

Summary

Congratulates TB on his son’s success in scientific studies.

Susan Darwin’s death [Oct 1866] has severed last ties of family with Shrewsbury.

Summary

C. Nägeli’s long letter on his four years of work on Hieracium appears to be valuable. Nägeli wants a set of British forms in exchange for German ones.

Sends note on a new genus of Umbelliferae (Drusa) in Canaries; speculates on origin.

Summary

JVC is willing to translate [Variation], especially because of his conviction that progress of biology depends on proving CD’s theory.

Ernst Haeckel’s book [Generelle Morphologie (1866)] will do mischief because EH is so immoderate. Suggests CD tell EH that he has done him a bad service. CD is the only one to whom EH would listen.

Summary

Reports on an experiment in crossing potato varieties.

Summary

Arrangements for obtaining Carl Nägeli a set of British Hieracium specimens.