Observations on behaviour of spiders in Astrakhan and Turkestan.
Observations on behaviour of spiders in Astrakhan and Turkestan.
Is preparing new edition of Origin [6th] in which he will introduce new chapter to answer Mivart’s criticisms. Mivart is unfair: suppresses facts in CD’s later editions.
Sends article [by Chauncey Wright, see 7940] reviewing Genesis of species.
Mivart writes to CD full of respect, but reviles him in print.
There is a primary law of growth and innate improvement. Natural selection is a secondary law that operates to "arrange the details". This is not Lamarckian, because will is not involved.
Thanks for Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)].
Amused by critics who say CD is metaphysically unsophisticated.
Geese do not commonly sift water through their bills for food, as they feed on land. A few have well-developed lamellae for sifting. Will have his son check at Zoological Garden.
Asks whether any goose sifts water with its beak.
Has received Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].
Has reviewed Quarterly Review article and 2d ed. of Genesis of species for the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].
Mivart has hopelessly misunderstood Suarez [Disputiones (1630)] on evolution.
Reports on variations in the development of lamellae and how the bills are used in several kinds of geese. Will send skins for examination.
Surprised at Mivart’s harsh review [Q. Rev. 131 (1871): 47–90], considering courteous tone of his book. Assures CD he has not been converted by Mivart.
On St G. J. Mivart’s Genesis of species and Chauncey Wright’s review of it [North Am. Rev. (July 1871)].
Offers his services for the future.
Working hard at establishing physiology at Cambridge.
On Mivart’s Genesis of species, and THH’s intention to reply to it.
Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].
CD is revising Origin and will answer Mivart on incipient organs. "Pendulum is swinging against us, but will swing back again".
Lists [with prices] four birds that he has forwarded to CD.
Promises to answer questions about ducks next week when he has a specimen.
Recently met Capt. Arthur Mellersh.
Is enjoying Descent. Sends corroborating facts on heredity, concerning race of people from the Seychelles known for their tall stature, courage, and vigour.
The pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s review of Mivart, see 7940] has been distributed to friends and to the press.
Asks WHF to check over some enclosed MS pages [Origin, 6th ed.?]. CD quotes some of WHF’s remarks, but should WHF not wish to be mixed with CD’s theoretic notions, CD will omit the whole paragraph.
Many think CD’s notions are "rubbish, pleasantly flavoured", like the reviewer in the Quarterly Review, who CD cannot doubt is "Mr Mivart, with bigotry arrogance illiberality & many other nice qualities".
Explains that he cannot agree with Mantegazza’s views on sexual selection.
Has been so unwell that he could do absolutely nothing on Origin [6th ed.]. A new chapter seven has cost much labour.
Sorry to hear R. I. Murchison is ill.
Forwards a letter. Has distributed 220 copies of the pamphlet [Darwinism 1871].
Thomas Henry Huxley has sent review of St George Jackson Mivart’s On the genesis of species and his review of Descent in Quarterly Review (Mivart 1871a and [Mivart] 1871c) to the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76] .
Thanks for goose specimens.
Asks whether Egyptian goose throws water out of side of beak. Can it tear herbage like the domestic goose?
[Mistakenly dated 16 Sept by CD.]