Summary

The crisis is abating – no further scarlet fever in the family.

Summary

After all, CD is now beginning to prepare an abstract of his species theory. Recounts the events leading to joint paper with A. R. Wallace at Linnean Society. Lyell and Hooker urge strongly that he publish a fuller abstract. It is impossible to do justice to subject in an abstract.

His sister, Marianne Parker, has died.

Summary

Has suggested WDF’s name to Hooker and Henslow, who are sending a circular for aid to John Ralfs.

Is working steadily at his abstract, hopes to publish in spring.

Asks if WDF has seen a donkey with double shoulder stripe; also, has he seen a black greyhound with tan feet and a tan spot over each eye? "Such must exist because theory tells me it ought!"

Summary

Undergoing hydropathic treatment for his old ailment.

The "Abstract" [Origin] is the cause. Only two chapters to do.

His satisfaction that he believes he has convinced Hooker and Huxley and staggered Lyell.

Summary

Is correcting chapters [of Origin] for press.

Health has been wretched of late.

He values fame to a certain extent, but "if I know myself, I work from a sort of instinct to try to make out truth".

Summary

Sympathises with family on death of WDF’s mother [Anne Fox née Darwin].

Sends details of fees at Moor Park hydropathic establishment.

Summary

His book [Origin] is nearly done. Is not so silly as to expect to convert WDF. Lyell is wavering; Hooker has come round.

Family news.

Asks WDF to find out if a cross between differently coloured horses produces a dun.

Summary

First impressions of the water-cure establishment are not favourable – "I always hate everything new".

Summary

News of his health and the water-cure establishment.

[Origin] "my weariful book on Species" has been sent to WDF, who will not agree with it. Hooker is a convert, and Lyell is "staggered".

Summary

His poor health keeps him from work.

His book [Origin] is a success "in the ordinary sense" – has had to reprint another 3000 copies.

Will now begin his "bigger book" which he plans to publish in three separate volumes with distinct titles and also a general title.

Summary

WDF sends news of his activities and of his family.

Summary

Congratulates WDF on his marriage,

reminisces about Cambridge and early entomology. Now neglects entomology for geology.

Describes Concepción after earthquake.

Hopes to cross Cordilleras before they leave South America in September.

Summary

Only proof that internal organs and bones were intermediate would convince CD of the possibility of the astounding [deer] hybrid WDF has reported.

Has WDF positive knowledge that common ganders do not always turn white?

Has begun his larger books. New editions of Origin will appear.

What is right and wrong in it will soon be sifted.

Summary

Attacks [on Origin] are "hot and heavy". Adam Sedgwick and William Clark at Cambridge Philosophical Society opened a battery. J. S. Henslow defended in grand style.

Slow progress on bigger book.

Summary

Expresses envy for WDF’s life as a clergyman.

Outlines homeward voyage; tells of his hope of seeing active volcanoes and Tertiary strata in Galapagos. Recommends geology to Fox. Discusses Lyell’s views; CD has become "a zealous disciple".

Summary

Has WDF ever observed musk ducks laying eggs in high places? The case bears on retention of aboriginal habits.

Also wants data on period of gestation of dog breeds. [See Variation 1: 30.]

Summary

The hybrid case is most curious, if true. So many have tried to get hybrids from hare and rabbit.

Has done little regular work – correspondence on Origin has been gigantic.

Has amused himself working on power of Drosera to catch flies.

Summary

Finds the voyage tedious at present.

Expects that the different scientific societies will be of the greatest use to his work in London when he returns home.

Gives some impressions of Australia.

Summary

Writes of family photographs and health.

Is at work on an enlarged [3d] edition of Origin.

Summary

Thanks WDF for an inkstand that keeps ink from getting muddy.

Asks if WDF can verify truth of a statement that white sows carry their young for a longer or shorter time (CD forgets which) than other colours. Presumes it is false, "but many odd peculiarities are correlated with colour".