Summary

Sends MS notes on intercrossing.

Describes different reactions of rabbits and guinea-pigs to stinging nettles.

Has made a number of grafts at Kew.

Encloses notes on natural selection; discussion of factors mitigating the swamping influence of intercrossing on incipient variations.

Summary

Galton agrees with GJR about rudimentary organs.

GJR’s note referred to possibility of selection acting on organic types as distinguished from individuals.

Thinks Grant Allen has not made out his point [in Physiological aesthetics (1877)], but his fundamental principle probably has much truth.

Summary

Believes in differentiated nerve-tracts [in Medusa] because of experiment in which contractile waves blocked. [See GJR’s "Evolution of nerves", Nature 16 (1877): 231–3, 269–71, 289–93.] Did not know author of MS was Miss Lawless. Describes experiment on contractile waves in Aurelia. Also studying starfish.

Summary

Thanks for CD’s comments on ["Evolution of nerves"]. Admits that he may have "been too keen in my scent after nerves".

Notes effect of reversing direction of current in muscular tissue.

Summary

Thanks for letter. Values CD’s opinion more than that of anybody else.

Perfectly astonished at reception CD got among popular audiences at GJR’s lectures.

Summary

Thanks for letter of sympathy.

Would like to visit in May.

Summary

Thanks for permission to use CD’s observations on instinct. Would like to use CD’s MS chapter in preparing forthcoming book [Mental evolution in animals (1883)].

Summary

Thanks for permission to use CD’s MS chapter on instinct for forthcoming book.

Summary

GJR’s speech at Dublin [BAAS meeting] was an enormous success, with tremendous applause at mention of CD’s name at the finale.

Summary

Thanks for comments on his lecture ["Nervous system of Medusa"]

and for information [about J. R. L. Delboeuf, La psychologie (1876)].

Summary

Thanks for letter and book [J. R. L. Delboeuf, La psychologie (1876)].

Summary

Thinks conservation of energy not evidence for Deity. Agrees with CD that there is little hope to illuminate subject with light of intellect. Intends to drop it.

Summary

Thinks Herbert Spencer has done little service to science but a great service to thinking.

Thinks importance of mathematics overestimated [by J. F. Moulton] in criticising Spencer.

Summary

Preparing his book, Animal intelligence [1882].

Spent an afternoon with a spiritualist but did not learn anything.

Summary

Lectured on mental evolution in Newcastle.

Has conducted interesting research on locomotor systems of echinoderms.

Summary

Sends proofs of Encyclopaedia Britannica article on hybridism [9th ed., 12: 422–6]. Can CD mention authorities who should be cited?

Summary

Thanks for copy of W. O. Focke [Die Pflanzen-Mischlinge (1881)].

Has nearly finished paper on locomotor system in echinoderms.

Summary

Returns book [W. O. Focke, Pflanzen-Mischlinge]. It was of great use.

Suggests experiment involving light stimulation of plants.

Summary

Glad CD thinks experiment worth trying [see 12904]. Has written to John Tyndall for permission to do it at Royal Institution.

Paper on echinoderms written [with J. C. Ewart, "Locomotor system of Echinodermata", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 172 (1881): 829–85].

Summary

John Tyndall has provided apparatus for experiment with light.

Frank [Darwin]’s paper a brilliant success [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 18: 406–19, 420–55. Read 16 Dec].

Has got a monkey for observation.