Summary

Will be pleased to collect information on the blind for CD when time allows. Generally very few (about one quarter) of blind people entering institutions are born blind.

Summary

The presence of the inter-condyloid perforation in man no more indicates his simian relations than it does his relations to numerous other animals.

Summary

Comments on continued appearance of Revue [des cours scientifiques] despite German siege. Plans enlarged format to include politics and political economy. Repeats request to publish first part of Descent, chapter by chapter, to be followed by publication of the whole.

Summary

Case of hereditary transmission; in his own family ten of LH’s generation suffer a defect in the right knee-joint.

Summary

Second "edition" [of Descent] published this day. Offers CD 800 guineas.

Mentions Wallace’s review in Academy.

Summary

Comments on Descent [2: 358–60] especially on CD’s view that behaviour of lower animals is evidence against JL’s interpretation [of aboriginal promiscuity]. View on communal marriage.

Summary

Having read extracts of CD’s work, he argues that the scriptural version of man’s origin is superior, and he is concerned about CD’s salvation.

Summary

Describes plans for travel in Morocco with George Maw and John Ball.

Has not yet read Descent.

Summary

Is studying Descent.

Raises two questions for CD: on the great percentage of female illegitimate births compared with legitimate,

and on clothing as accounting for hairlessness of humans.

Summary

Demand [for Descent] is such that JM thinks he will have to print 1000 more copies. Does not want to trouble CD for corrections.

Summary

Completes payment for 2d issue [of Descent]; has sold 1300 of the 2000 copies printed. Will probably print 2000 more for 3d issue.

Summary

On the case of a male acquaintance with two pairs of mammae.

Summary

Unfortunately he has missed an opportunity to review Descent in Nature.

Summary

Gives CD permission to use photographs of expressions.

Summary

Thanks for £50 contribution to Edward Cresy’s memorial. £1000 collected so far for an annuity for Mrs Cresy.

Summary

Answers CD’s questions.

Reception of Descent. Evolution accepted everywhere; descent of man accepted calmly.

Morocco plans.

Fears for Huxley, who is overworked.

Summary

Thanks for CD’s letter on his review of Descent in the Pall Mall Gazette [21 Mar 1871].

Summary

Effects of first impregnation on litters from subsequent pregnancies.

Power of selective breeding to produce different varieties.

Summary

Answers to CD’s queries will take time. CD may not be aware of the influence of accommodation on the diameter of the pupil of the eye. Parrots, for example, contract or dilate the pupil independently of amount of light [see Expression, p. 304]. Sends his book on the subject [On the anomalies of accommodation and refraction of the eye (1864)].

Summary

Note on errata in first volume of Descent.