The Primula experiments of J. Sidebotham; HCW’s distrust of the results [see J. Sidebotham, "Specific identity of the cowslip and the primrose", Phytologist 3 (1849): 703–5].
Asks JM’s opinion on publishing his MS on orchids. It has new facts, and resembles a Bridgewater Treatise, but only those who care for natural history would be interested. Would share the risk.
Additional discussion of Jamieson’s theory that the roads of Glen Roy were formed by a glacial lake. Suggests the possible marine origin of the Glen Spean terraces. Comments on the power of lakes to produce pebbles. Discusses elevation of Wales and Scotland during the glacial period.
Offers to publish Orchids, giving CD one-half of the profits of each edition.
Would like capsule of Epipactis palustris. Asks for information.
CD’s orchid paper is to become orchid book [Orchids].
Primula paper is done [Collected papers 2: 45–63].
Thanks JM for his liberal offer [to publish Orchids]. CD fears the public will not be interested, but thinks it will "do good to the Origin as it will show that I worked hard on details and it will perhaps serve [to] illustrate how Natural History may be worked under the belief of the modification of Species".
Thanks for gift of treatise on Coelenterata [? Manual of the sub-kingdom Coelenterata (1861)]. "… I was but lately wishing to read some treatise up to the present mark, on these animals. I have cut the pages & can clearly see that your work will much interest & instruct me".
Recommends publisher for HWB; admires J. van Voorst but suggests Murray.
In reply to HWB’s letter [missing], comments on neuters and mimicry.
Has found the reference to Charles Morren’s paper, "On the agency of insects in causing sterility in flowers" [Proc. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. 1 (1836): xliv–xlv].
Common white butterflies remove pollen-masses with their tarsi from plants of the Asclepiadaceae.
Bates agrees with CD on neuter ants.
Orchids.
Repeating experiment of C. F. v. Gärtner to study Huxley’s idea of physiological species.
List of Australian plants that have become naturalised in the Nilgiris [India] and are turning out the native trees.
Asks for copy of CD’s paper ["Ancient glaciers of Caernarvonshire", Collected papers 1: 163–71]. Gathers that drift of Moel Tryfan is glacial.
Believes Glen Roy roads formed later than submergence of Scotland.
Asks CD’s opinion concerning relative chronology of various glacial deposits, particularly a flint tool find in the Ouse River near Bedford.
Discusses the mimicry of the Volucella flies, and the bees and wasps they mimic. Compares it with the different object of mimicry in butterflies.
Refers to incompleteness of Cuthbert Collingwood’s paper [? "On homophormism, or organic representative forms", Proc. Liverpool Lit. & Philos. Soc. 14 (1860): 181–216].
Thanks CD for help in selecting a publisher for his book [The naturalist on the river Amazons (1863)].
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