Relieved that CD approves his declining the Presidency of BAAS. The BAAS and the role of scientific men in it.
H. T. Stainton should be elected F.R.S.
Asks for specimen [of Eozoon] for J. V. Carus of Leipzig.
CD thinks JVC’s preface is fair to Bronn. Regrets JVC has not added notes of his own, but, having dropped Bronn’s appendix, it is perhaps best to leave the text without comment. Rejoices that the German public can now judge the Origin fairly.
Has written to W. B. Carpenter for a specimen of Eozoon to send to JVC.
CD now acknowledges that the sometimes very great sexual, i.e., ornamental, differences in fishes offer a difficulty to the view that females are not brightly coloured on account of the danger to propagation of the species.
Encloses memorandum on Origin [1866]
discussing mimicry in mammals and birds,
abnormal habits shown by birds,
behaviour of cuckoos,
and analogies existing between mammals of the same geographical region.
Speculates on possible lines of development linking groups of mammals.
[CD’s notes on the verso of the letter are for his reply.]
Asks to meet EB for a walk in the Zoological Gardens.
Is so unwell he must cancel appointment to meet at Zoological Gardens.
Discusses JPMW’s paper on Bonatea [see 5411].
Mentions Robert Brown’s views on pollen.
Observations on orchid self-sterility.
Wants information on characters that may have originated through sexual selection in lower animals.
Encloses queries on expression.
Sends J. P. M. Weale’s paper on Bonatea for consideration by Linnean Society [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 10 (1869): 470–6].
Asks for information concerning study at King’s College.
Many of EB’s remarks about Origin [4th ed. (1866)] are new to CD.
Thinks of writing a short essay on man.
Struck by EB’s remarks about orang. They are similar to Carl Vogt’s remarks on origin of man from distinct ape families.
Thinks similarity of orang to Malay must be accidental.
Will send Variation when it is published.
Thanks PR for his memoir on Epipogium ["Über den Blüthenbau von Epipogium" (1866)]. The structure and manner of fertilisation are new to CD;
he has long suspected that the classification of orchids requires considerable modification.
Asks why caterpillars are sometimes beautifully coloured. It poses a problem for view that sexual selection is the explanation of colours of male butterflies.
More on mimetic butterflies.
Protective role of colours in caterpillars and butterflies. Sexual differences in colours of butterflies.
Discusses sexual and seasonal differences in the plumage of birds and coats of mammals.
Remarks upon variations in the form of the canine tooth between the sexes in mammalian groups.
Plumage of allied species of plover.
Asks CD’s help with work on unimproved domestic animals.
Sends a copy [missing] of a lecture by L. Agassiz on glaciers.
Claims worker wasps can generate additional workers in the absence of the fertile female.
ARW’s explanation of protective value of conspicuous coloration is ingenious.
CD still holds to sexual selection with respect to beauty in male butterflies.
Sexual selection and the races of man.
Expression of emotions is another subject he plans to include in his essay [Descent].
Asks ARW to suggest an observer in Malay Archipelago to whom he might send queries [on expression].
Vladimir Kovalevsky wishes to translate Variation into Russian. He offers £1 per advance sheet.