Reports the results of some poultry crossing experiments; comments on transmission of different features.
"My unlucky Book [Origin] will be published 1st week in November."
Reports the results of some poultry crossing experiments; comments on transmission of different features.
"My unlucky Book [Origin] will be published 1st week in November."
Thanks CL for his favourable remarks to the Geological Section of the BAAS concerning the forthcoming publication of the Origin. Hopes CL will accept his view of species.
Comments on CL’s paper ["On the occurrence of works of human art in post-Pliocene deposits", Rep. BAAS 29 (1859): 93–5].
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.
Discusses text of Origin.
Compares Eocene and modern climates.
Mentions Hooker’s view of his geographical [distribution] chapters.
Asks CL’s opinion of his statements on distribution during "glacial and preceding warmer periods".
Mentions chapters on geological record and embryology.
Encloses draft in payment for tutoring of sons Francis and Leonard, with thanks for all GVR’s assistance.
Will send his servant for Arum plant.
Is sending off last proof-sheets of Origin.
Asks CL’s opinion of final chapter. Mentions difficulties of his argument.
Is too unwell to start for Ilkley.
Murray’s printing of 1250 copies seems too large to CD.
Tells how to get information on, and gain membership in, the London Library.
Discusses events at Ilkley.
Declines an invitation to visit [Moor] Park.
He hopes that Dr Lane is arranging things to his satisfaction.
Thanks JP for bearing in mind his strong wish to learn any facts on inheritance at corresponding ages, and on correlation of growth.
JP’s case of teeth affected by syphilitic parents seems very curious. Would like to hear a few particulars when they meet.
Praises the Origin: a "splendid case of close reasoning".
Objects to CD’s having ignored Lamarck and Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.
Thinks CD should omit mentioning problem of explaining the eye at the beginning of chapter 14. Suggests rewording several passages.
Thinks want of peculiar birds in Madeira a difficulty, considering presence of them in Galapagos.
Has always felt that the case of man and his races is one and the same with animals and plants.
First impressions of the water-cure establishment are not favourable – "I always hate everything new".
CL’s comments on Origin. Mentions corrections to last chapter suggested by CL.
Comments on lack of peculiar bird species on Madeira and Bermuda. Emphasises importance of American types in Galapagos.
Denies necessity of continued creation of primitive "Monads".
Denies need for new powers and any principle of improvement.
Discusses gradations of intellectual powers.
Adaptive inferiority and extinction of groups of species and genera.
Asserts that climate is less important than the struggle with other organisms.
Suggests an experiment involving primroses and cowslips.
The chapter on hybridisation.
Rudimentary organs.
Gives opinion of Lamarck’s work.
Book finished some two weeks.
Feeling much better at Ilkley.
Lyell thinks favourably of book but "staggered" at lengths to which CD goes.
Which continental botanists should receive presentation copies?
Origin is finished.
Asks for names of foreign speculative naturalists.
Hopes THH will think he is on right road despite errors.
Discusses presentation copies [of the Origin].
Comments on CL’s letters.
Discusses foreign animals naturalised in Australia and elsewhere.
Affirms man’s capacity to survive in Eocene climate.
Comments on American types.
Denies necessity for "continued intervention of creative power".
Cannot suggest an appropriate device or ornament for cover [of Origin].
Will send a list for distribution of author’s copies as soon as JM tells him approximate trade price.
Wishes CD would enlarge on the doctrines of [Pyotr Simon] Pallas about the various races of dogs having come from several distinct wild species or sub-species.
Suggests organisms have a latent principle of improvement which is brought out by selection or breeding.
Congratulates JDH on finishing his introductory essay [to Flora Tasmaniae].
Lyell’s position on mutability appears more positive in his letters to JDH than in those to CD. Considers JDH a convert.