Summary

Anecdote of bear reasoning [see Descent, 2d ed., p. 76].

Similarity of forms of ornamentation and implements in widely separate races and ages [Descent 1: 233].

Summary

Replies to CD’s letter;

inquires about CD’s intended terms for Italian translator of Descent; hopes to offer best terms herself.

Summary

On reception of Descent in Edinburgh.

Anecdote about a dog helping another by separating combatants.

Summary

On ratios of the sexes in insects, and other facts relating to sexual selection.

Summary

Feels their conflict lies in the field of philosophy rather than in that of physical science. Regrets that they differ so widely.

Summary

John Murray has commissioned him to redraw two birds. Hopes to re-do all of the birds taken from Brehm’s Thierleben.

Summary

WBT’s beard exceptional in that it is darker than his hair [see Descent 2: 319].

Summary

Sends his paper on locusts ["Die geographische Verbreitung der Wanderheuschrecke", Petermann’s Geogr. Mittheil. (1871)]. The effect of the growth of forest land on their increase; meteorological and climatic effects.

Also observations made on increase in mice as a result of increase of locusts, on whose eggs they fed, and of increase of weasels that fed on mice.

Summary

Upset to learn he has misrepresented CD’s doctrine on Pangenesis [in Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 19 (1871): 393–410]. Hopes that CD’s letter to Nature [3 (1871): 502–3; Collected papers 2: 165–7] will clarify the doctrine and attract attention to it.

Summary

Thanks CD for Origin, 5th ed.

Comments on reviews of Descent by the Duke of Argyll and A. R. Wallace.

Lists the Darwinian professors at Jena.

WP’s work shows external ear to have no physiological functions.

W. Müller’s book not yet arrived. Will send Müller’s next works.

Summary

About a dog that acquired habits from a cat and her kittens.

Summary

Information on the publishing history of a book [J. C. Lavater, Physiognomische Fragmente, 4 vols. (1775–8)].

Summary

Since it is difficult to catch the expressions CD wants, OGR is posing himself.

Summary

Sends a small apparatus from Sarawak for getting fire.

Summary

Sends specimens of gulf-weed and cirripedes for CD to identify.

Various observations on Descent,

inherited deafness,

recognition of musical notes by dog, etc.

Summary

Corrects Descent: snipes do breed in Ireland.

Summary

Is sending his reply to Nature, justifying his misunderstanding as well as he can [see 7717].

Summary

Intends to answer Sir A. Grant’s article if CD does not. [A. Grant, "Philosophy and Mr Darwin", Contemp. Rev. 17 (1871): 274–81; H. Spencer, "Mental evolution", Contemp. Rev. 17 (1871): 461–2.]

Summary

Credit for observation on supra-condyloid foramen in man is really due to Robert Knox, not John Struthers, as in Descent.

Summary

Contraction of platysma occurs during surgery under chloroform from touch of knife, independently of fear.