Summary

Describes some crosses he has carried out with Primula;

mentions the infertility of cherimoyer [Annona cherimola] in England.

Summary

Discusses the research for his paper on Arctic plant beds in the freshwater aquifers of Scania (Nathorst 1872).

Summary

AD is sorry CD thinks publication of Descent a mistake. The excitement shows it was necessary for someone to speak plainly.

His great difficulties (Italian indolence, dishonesty, hatred) in establishing zoological station. Can at last start construction.

Summary

Defends Descent against CD’s self-disparagement. The parts on the moral sense seem to him the finest in the book.

Summary

David Forbes thinks WED’s chalk samples have been penetrated by surface mud.

Summary

Accepts CD’s proposal for new revised edition of Origin; will pay $50 [dollars or pounds!?] for casts of the plates and pay CD on sales.

Appleton edition of CD’s Journal of researches [1871] still selling well.

Also wants plates sent with CD’s new work on Expression. CD should arrange this with Murray’s.

Summary

Compares Origin to Newton’s Principia and Adam Smith’s Wealth of nations.

His view of CD’s response to Mivart.

On mammae;

gradualism of evolution;

suicide among savages.

Summary

Thanks for new [6th] edition of Origin, which he read with great interest. Would welcome an edition with references to works cited.

Summary

Sends dirt residue of chalk samples for David Forbes to examine.

Summary

Saw editor of the Pall Mall Gazette about review of Origin and Genesis of species.

Summary

Enclosed account has had charged against it difference in costs between type composition in the U. S. and securing stereotype plates from Murray. CD should insist on securing plates from the London publisher of all future books, otherwise Appleton unable to pay 10% of gross price.

Summary

Asks for the negative and permission to publish photo of smiling girl. [Expression, p. 202, plate III, fig. 2.]

Summary

Reports the case of a cockerel raised in isolation from other cocks which repeatedly attempted, but failed, to crow properly.

Also discusses behaviour in horses; one male will "look after" 20–25 females.

Summary

Has read correspondent’s work. Glad he is not shocked at belief that man is descendant of lower form. An unusual attitude for a Frenchman.

Fears they differ greatly on origins of moral sense.

Summary

Asks AWB for a reference to a paper;

thanks him for his generous review of the last edition [6th] of the Origin.

Summary

Has been looking for something about crop rotation in Origin and Variation.

Summary

Glad AW’s eyesight is better.

Has received AW’s essay [Einfluss der Isolierung (1872)].

Glad he is turning attention to sexual selection. Hardly any naturalists agree with CD on subject.

Summary

Disagrees with the "Darwinian theory"; does not see evidence enough to support it. Will send CD any notes he makes for or against.

Summary

CD is vexed to hear that some of his friends and some booksellers complain of the type of the new [6th] edition of Origin. CD, whose eyesight is not good, had no trouble reading proofs.

Summary

AE, philosophy professor, is disposed to accept natural selection, but argues that it lacks direction. Suggests that direction would be given if one assumed the appearance of multiple advantageous traits in a single individual. Cites Herbert Spencer, Rudolf Virchow, Claude Bernard, and Carl Vogt.