Summary

Replies to CD’s questions. Advice on use of term "morphology". Is much struck by CD’s idea that uniformity of an organ throughout a group implies functional inutility; the paradox of this position for classification.

Summary

Dedication of Malay Archipelago to CD.

Comments on scientific papers.

Summary

Sends CD another piebald potato and a spray of holly, from Mr Fish, discussed in Gardeners’ Chronicle of 22 Jan [1869, p. 83].

Summary

Forwards reply from [Peter Robertson] head forester for Marquis of Breadalbane on development of horns in Scottish deer.

Summary

On development of horns in merino sheep. Encloses reports from herdsmen he has approached.

Summary

Is assembling apparatus of lenses and reflector to observe flower from opening to first shedding of pollen, and to determine whether fertilisation is by night- or day-feeders.

Will also examine reasons for absence of nectar in Polygala linaria.

Summary

Is trying to determine conditions governing whether or not a salmon will rise for a fly.

Summary

Answer to CD’s query as to whether horns on deer are for use or ornament. [See Descent 2: 252–3.]

Summary

Sends a paper on reproductive modes of Leptodera ["Organisation und Fortpflanzen von Leptodera", Schr. Ges. Beförd. Naturw. Marburg (1869)].

Criticises Ernst Haeckel’s work as too unripe and enthusiastic.

Asks CD for some specimens of cirripedes in pupal stage for a work in progress.

Summary

Believes Portuguese habit of removing tails of pointers is responsible for birth of some tailless dogs.

Summary

On development of horns in fawns of fallow deer.

Summary

Argues that [general variability] of species, not single variations or sports, is basis for modification and adaptation to new conditions.

Summary

DF’s opinion of Gustav Jenzsch’s book [Mikroskopische Flora und Fauna (1868)]. Encloses extract of a letter from Ferdinand Zirkel also mentioning Jenzsch’s work.

Summary

Requests authorisation to translate Journal of researches into French.

Summary

Corrects T. M. Brewer’s statement, cited in the Origin, that the American cuckoo never uses other birds’ nests. [See Origin, 5th ed., p. 266.]

Summary

A case of fighting in crabs (Portunus puber against Carcinus maenas) [see Descent 1: 332].

Summary

Sends translation of Mr Steiger’s letter responding to question CD had asked about growth of horns of merino rams.

Summary

Lyell says CD is revising what he says about the Weald in the Origin. Asks CD to look at his subaerial denudation views in his book [Physical geology and geography of Great Britain, 2d ed. (1864)].

Summary

Gives consent, which is unnecessary because term of protection has expired, for French translation of Journal of researches.

Is at a loss to know how many copies of F. Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin to print.

The printer is ready for copy for a new "edition" of Variation. [Presumably another issue. 2d edition did not appear until 1875.]

Summary

Argues for great age of earth before the Cambrian period. Opposes measuring age from secular cooling. Opposes Sir William Thomson. Lyell’s error on secular cooling.

Thanks for Moseley citation ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

In Edinburgh he feels out of touch with latest developments.