Migratory male nightingales and blackcaps arrive before females [see Descent 1: 259].
Discusses chaffinch "Peggers".
Disagrees with CD’s opinion that canary mules are fertile.
Display of colour of greenfinches in courtship.
Sends message to CD about development of horns in sheep.
Proportion of sexes in (new-born) lambs equal, but males more likely to die.
Observations on expression and colour of beard and hair in natives of India.
Did not intend to imply that Hallett said variation stopped, but that it arrives at a point where further accumulation in direction sought is so slow as to result practically in fixity of type – but not absolute fixity.
Duke of Argyll has requested JDH to superintend publication of a flora of India. JDH thinks he [Argyll] is paying him off for his kick at natural theology.
Willy [Hooker] returning from New Zealand.
A unique character in Drosophyllum.
Sees no reason for CD to contribute to Ross and Faraday memorials.
Replies to CD’s queries on sexual habits and differences in fish and lizards.
Glad Dareste is candidate for Paris Chair. No subject more important than modification of structure by direct action of changed conditions, and Dareste has thrown much light on subject. Believes monstrosities cannot be separated from slighter variations.
The expression of shame in ancients, Milton, the Bible, and in poor girls under Miss Gourlay’s charge.
Sends extract from Charma [Essai sur le langage (1846)] on the origin of nodding and shaking the head [See Expression, p. 273 n. 17].
CD would like questions on consanguineous marriages inserted in the Census to ascertain effects, if any, on fertility.
His beard is darker than his hair, an exception to CD’s rule in Descent [2: 319]. Encloses sample of his hair, beard, and whiskers.
Recounts case of parrot whose talking seems to show "power of connecting definite sounds with definite ideas" [see Descent, 2d ed., p. 85 n.].
Has not seen CD’s daughter yet. Hopes the fine weather will continue while she is there [in Bournemouth].
Comments on WRG’s MS on ratio of the sexes at birth.
Offers to send J. M. A. Thury’s paper ["Loi de production des sexes", Arch. Sci. Phys. & Nat. 18 (1863): 91–8].
Encloses a letter [7617] to be forwarded to the author of the review of Descent in Pall Mall Gazette.
Questions CD’s attribution of a sense of beauty to animals and his use of natural selection to explain phenomena JM feels it more appropriate to describe as social selection.
On some errata in Descent.
Sends extracts from a statistical study giving proportion of sexes in [population of] Netherlands.
Comments on Descent.
Reports a case of protective coloration of bugs on Tilia
and observations on frogs fighting [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 281, 350].
Encloses drawings of chicken feet.
Thanks CD for Origin, 5th ed.
Comments on reviews of Descent by the Duke of Argyll and A. R. Wallace.
Lists the Darwinian professors at Jena.
WP’s work shows external ear to have no physiological functions.
W. Müller’s book not yet arrived. Will send Müller’s next works.
A fact on expression: sheep do use hoofs in fighting.
Offers to send some of his botanical field notes.
Convinced that certain families and genera vary in certain directions. Cites Lobelia’s "inclination" to produce albinos and other cases.
Reports a plant that is abundant in localities unfitted for its full development.
Wild buffaloes will help a wounded calf.
Response to CD’s views among American naturalists.