CD relays the advice of Sir W. R. Grove on the dismal prospects of a law career.
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CD relays the advice of Sir W. R. Grove on the dismal prospects of a law career.
Returns George Darwin’s criticisms of his notes on sterility and sends further notes in reply. Since there are degrees of sterility between varieties, "is it not probable that natural selection can accumulate these variations?" Varieties that are adapted to new conditions could then survive and form new species without being isolated.
Experiments to test Wallace’s theory that brightly coloured caterpillars are rejected by birds. [See Descent 1: 417.]
Discusses law versus engineering and business as a career.
Supposes ARW will have "squashed" GHD’s criticisms of his notes on sterility.
Gives his opinion on a business transaction involving WED and the Southampton bank.
He and Lizzie [Elizabeth Darwin] will come to Kew on Saturday.
French translation of Variation has just appeared. Copies sent to Quatrefages de Bréau, C. V. Naudin, A. J. Gaudry, Camille Dareste, and Ernest Faivre.
Blushing in South American Indians.
Hairlessness of Aymaras and Quechuas. [See Descent 2: 322–3.]
Proportions of sexes in birds as reported by bird-catchers.
Thanks CD for advice received before his Novara voyage. Sends volumes [Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde … Geologischer Theil, ed. FCvH, 2 vols. in 3 (1864–6)].
Thanks RT for letter which saves him from a "terrible mistake": that no moths were more brilliantly coloured beneath than above. Suggests revised version for comment. [See Descent 1: 397.]
Approves CD’s revision on coloration of moths.
Impressed with apparent adverse tendencies: one toward sexual selection, the other toward protection.
Thanks for criticism of his paper [on Variation].
If external conditions induce variability, what is the internal cause?
Does not agree with Duke of Argyll that "Origin of Species" is an incorrect term.
Sees playfulness of animals as a mark of the Deity’s creative playfulness.
Will visit soon.
On various subjects related to sexual selection: preferences, proportion of sexes. [See Descent 2: 117–18, 122.]
Recognition of colour by animals.
Asks WED to observe blushing in the blind, and yawning.
Mentions elephants’ crying while trumpeting.
Thanks for Variation.
Complains of a severe facial neuralgia.
He is planning to build an experimental laboratory in the south.
Blushing in boys blind from birth. Has got information from R. H. Blair, the principal of a college for the blind.
His impression is that male rats outnumber females. Males are pugnacious and polygamous. Gives details of the inheritance of colour in a colony he kept.
Sends CD his book [Naturalist on the China Sea (1868)].