CD insists too strongly, in Descent, on man’s origin from a simian ancestor, rather than some other primate.
Will see CD tomorrow.
Has received GCW’s negative from the Heliotype Co. Thanks him for the beautiful work of art which, however, will make others on the same plate look ugly. [See Expression, pl. III, fig. 2.]
Describes habits of worms.
Discusses Leersia experiments.
CD has lost his reference to cross between gold and silver pheasants.
Received copy of Origin 6th ed. Has had trouble with worm measurements at Winchester.
A. G. Butler has named the specimens sent by CD with Fritz Müller’s letter.
Sends several facts relating to sexual selection, mimicry, and hybrids.
Discusses the possibility that mimicked and mimicking forms have descended from originally allied forms and have diverged in structure but not in appearance.
CD is urged to increase to 20 his shares in the Artizans, Labourers & General Dwellings Co. Ltd. Many prominent people have done so.
Feels it would be worth while but difficult to investigate mimicked and mimicking forms for structural similarities that would indicate a closer alliance in the past.
Endorses revised statement about Butler’s odd hereditary habit;
describes a séance at William Crookes’s.
Comments on action of eyes in a person lost in meditation. Asks about Charles Bell’s explanation [in Anatomy of expression (1806, 1844)].
Comments on FG’s description of a séance at the house of William Crookes.
Will use FG’s words about [H. M. Butler’s] hereditary habit [in Expression, p. 33 n. 8].
Sends two vines for CD’s experiments, with instructions for grafting.
Mentions a hybrid plum–peach.
Data relating to experiments; shrinkage of earth on drying.
Sends, for signature, a statement approving change in rules of the Leopoldino Academy [Dresden] to be forwarded to CD to sign.
Would like to do Russian translation of Expression.
May come to England.
Has forwarded CD’s letter to Crookes.
Requests letter recommending him for the Chair of General and Comparative Physiology at the Royal Veterinary College.
Asks BR to make two drawings of dogs to show expressions. Discusses expressions of hostile dog and caressing dog.
His analysis and explanation of the fact, observed by Charles Bell, that the eyeballs are turned upwards and inwards when consciousness begins to fail.