Summary

Reports information sent by E. Schulte [12254] on the colours of the male Diadema bolina.

Discusses extent to which consciousness came into play in the origin of certain instincts, including sexual display.

Summary

CD has repeated a test of whether hybrids of the common and Chinese goose are fertile inter se. Reports his success, and comments on its significance for the theory of descent.

Summary

In reply to a query [in Nature 19 (1879): 433] CD reports that vessels full of water were kept on the deck of a ship to discourage rats from gnawing holes in the ship’s water casks.

Summary

Thanks correspondent for the copies of his engraving. "The work seems to be, though I cannot pretend to be a judge, a vy fine production".

Summary

Orders a sheet of gold-beater’s skin for plant experiments.

Summary

Comments on a letter from Fritz Müller [11839] and particularly on the subject of the disappearance of certain structures in organisms. FM’s explanation deserves serious consideration.

Summary

Thanks for letter and articles: gratifying to hear that agriculturalists attend to his works.

Cannot decipher German writing so has stuck the address from the letter on the envelope.

Summary

Unable to accept invitation.

Looked at leaves and saw no sign that animal matter was absorbed. Believes insects were caught only accidentally.

Summary

Is obliged for the note about Wallis Nash’s death, but he has since heard that the report was false.

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Miss Arabella Buckley’s letter on Wallace’s poor health and finances leads CD to seek JDH’s aid in getting a Government pension.

Summary

Discusses possibility of Government pension for Wallace.

Summary

Argues against pension for Wallace because of his spiritualism; the underhanded way he brought about discussion of spiritualism at BAAS; his pocketing money from a bet on the sphericity of the earth; his lack of absolute poverty.

Summary

JDH convinces CD not to press for pension for Wallace.

Summary

Thanks CD for acting on her suggestion about getting Wallace an income; acknowledges the difficulty. Is not sure Wallace would accept government money for doing nothing in return.

Summary

Has discussed with Hooker possibility of Government pension for Wallace. Hooker is pessimistic.

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Thanks CD for trouble over Wallace, even though success not assured.

Summary

Questions CD on the possibility of selecting disease-resisting potatoes to produce ultimately a disease-resistant variety.

Summary

RWD has read "with deep interest" Erasmus Darwin. He has copies of four letters from Erasmus Darwin to his great-grandfather, Richard Dixon, and he encloses a copy of the most interesting one.

Summary

Is sending CD his Illustrated book of poultry in which the chapter on the "Origin of the domestic fowl" may be of interest.

He ventures to mention several errors in Variation.

Mentions the late Mr Lane of Bristol, a celebrated Spanish breeder (of poultry).

Summary

Three letters from Erasmus Darwin to Dixon’s great-grandfather, transcribed by Dixon. Enclosure to a missing letter.