Summary

Has decided that 1000 copies of Descent should be printed. Will make no alterations. "If it goes on selling it will shew that it is worth a thorough revision."

The U. S. sale of Descent (10000 copies) is larger than in England.

Summary

Corrections for Descent. Has sold 6500 copies in England.

Has finished rough draft of Expression, but will put it aside for the summer.

Will refresh himself with some curious observations on the response of plants to certain stimuli.

Summary

Reassures JVC [who had received the impression that CD would prefer Carl Vogt as translator of Variation].

CD surprised at receipt of an application for a Russian translation.

Summary

Gives CGS permission to use his letters in any way he thinks fit.

Discusses the direct effect of external conditions as an agent of change in organisms; has encountered many cases since the publication of Origin.

Summary

Comments on FH’s paper ["Verbreitungsmittel der Compositenfrüchte", Bot. Ztg. 30 (1872): 1–14].

Discusses function of mucus filaments on seeds of Compositae and other plants.

Comments on Eugen Askenasy’s publication [Beiträge zur Kritik der Darwin’schen Lehre (1872)].

Comments on evolutionary views of Carl Nägeli.

Summary

Comments on new edition of EH’s book [Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte, 2d ed. (1870)].

Mentions his own book [Descent].

Visit by Kölliker.

Summary

Believes heliotype process is best for book illustrations. Has sent copies [of Descent] to Loescher and Carus.

Is working on an estimate for the cheap [6th] edition of the Origin.

The Times review has not hurt sales of Descent.

Summary

The two volumes of Variation [2d ed.] are unequal in size. Can CD reduce vol. 2 and increase vol. 1?

Does CD wish to publish Climbing plants [2d ed.] at once?

Summary

Discusses need for cross-fertilisation in Geranium.

Hooker begins to doubt whether Drosophyllum so closely allied to Drosera.

Summary

CD would have been honoured to have EL translate forthcoming work [Expression], but J. V. Carus is already half way through this task.

Summary

Thinks JDH would be wise not to touch on Pangenesis; it has very few friends. Bentham is doubtful, Carus against, and Alphonse de Candolle likes it least in the book. CD still convinced it will be hereafter looked on as "best hypothesis of generation inheritance & development". If JDH means to cut up Pangenesis he has no word to say in opposition.

Summary

Asks exact number of copies of recent printing of Origin.

Approves stereotyping Orchids,

but fears he cannot approve of stereotyping Cross and self-fertilisation and Forms of flowers. It is too soon for the latter, and he is too busy to correct the former.

Summary

Comments on CWvN’s Die Entstehung und Begriff [der Naturhistorischen Art (1864)].

Discussion of beauty of flowers in new edition of Origin not based on CWvN’s article.

Comments on CWvN’s argument that flower structures are not due to natural selection.

Summary

Has just had printed a new edition of Descent [1874] and is anxious that this improved version be circulated in America.

Summary

Asks whether he can start soon on translating Expression.

Thinks CD has gone a little too far on St G. J. Mivart’s objection, which he thinks did very little harm in Germany.

JVC’s history of zoology is finished [Geschichte der Zoologie bis auf Joh. Müller und Charl. Darwin (1872)].

Summary

Discusses errors in Descent. Not surprised that WT is not committed to full acceptance of evolution of man.

At work on Expression. Asks about muscles that raise spines of hedgehog and tail coverts of peacock. Asks about influence of mind on capillaries with regard to blushing. Mentions views of James Paget on influence of the mind on nutrition of body parts.

Summary

Discusses effect of atropine solution on eye,

and effect of phosphate of ammonia solution on gland of Drosera.

Would like to see work by T. W. Engelmann and possibly one by Dr De Ruyter.