Summary

To avoid possible misundertanding of his letter [2654] of that morning, CD wishes to make clear that he did not wish to imply that BP’s essay and the Vestiges of creation were in the same class. The more he thinks of it the more difficult he feels it would be to give a fair account of the authors who have maintained the modification of species. CD finds that he referred to BP’s views in the preface to his larger work [Natural selection], which was replaced by the Origin.

Summary

Gives the results of crossing experiments; some interesting and curious facts.

Summary

Thanks EC for help in finding French translator [for Origin].

Summary

Hopes readers will send information on the permanence of cross-bred plants and animals. No one doubts that cross-bred productions tend to revert in various degrees to either parent for many generations. But are there not cases of crossed breeds of sheep and pigs that breed true? CD believes occasional cross-breeding of varieties is advantageous in nature as well as under domestication. [See reply to this letter by J. O. Westwood, Gard. Chron. (1860): 122.]

Summary

Discusses P. T. A. Talandier as possible translator [of Origin].

Comments on reception of book in North America and opposition of Louis Agassiz.

Asks about reaction of Henri Milne-Edwards.

QdeB’s lectures on anthropology.

Summary

Sends copy of 2d ed. of Origin, with list of corrections.

Is at work on "fuller work" [Variation].

Summary

Has agreed to permit P. T. A. Talandier to translate the Origin.

Summary

Asks RHM to clarify his statement in Annals of Natural History, vol. 15, p. 39, about variation in the maxillae of Phalangiidae and in true spiders, and to provide information on the variation in maxillae of spiders.

Summary

If an American edition of Origin is considered worth while, CD would like AG’s reviews prefixed to it.

Will use all his strength to produce first part of his three-volume big work [Variation].

Summary

The pamphlet on the origin or variation of species sent by IGS-H has not arrived. CD is eager to see it and requests precise reference. ["Cours de zoologie (mammifères et oiseaux), fait au Muséum d’histoire naturelle, en 1850", Revue et Magasin de Zoologie Pure et Appliquée 2d ser. 3: 12–20.]

Summary

Orders copy of book by Louis Agassiz [Nomenclatoris Zoologici Index Universalis (1846)].

Mentions book sent by Quatrefages de Bréau.

Summary

Measles has ben running through the house, but they are now quit of it.

Discusses plans for JSH to visit; eager to discuss Origin.

Summary

Returns MS [of biography for Dictionary of contemporary biography (1861)]. Part was inaccurate, and there was an important omission so CD has had a new copy made.

Summary

Had forgotten that Journal [of researches] was stereotyped. Not worth while now to improve style. Wants to make a few corrections, if possible, on p. 378.

Summary

CD preparing historical sketch, which will go into second American edition of Origin.

Asks JDH to copy out Naudin’s line on finality.

Summary

Very pleased with Asa Gray’s letter to JDH [see 2638], which is "rich on Agassiz".

Summary

Has arranged with Baily the poulterer for pigeons for THH to exhibit at Royal Institution lecture.

E. A. Darwin will subscribe to H. Spencer’s book [First principles: a system of philosophy (1862)].

Summary

Discusses the direction of WED’s studies.

Tells of the response to the Origin and the impact that it has made in England and abroad.

Summary

CD is glad there is to be an American edition of Origin printed from the corrected 2d English edition.

Summary

Discusses NA’s pamphlet on human progress. Suggests making it a book [A survey of human progress (1861)].

Comments on study of dead languages.

Denies that animals are "governed only by selfish motives".