Discusses case of Cytisus graft described by JJW.
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The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
Discusses case of Cytisus graft described by JJW.
Yellow flowers occurring on a purple Cytisus grafted onto a yellow stock.
Yellow and purple flowers occur on plant grafted with Cytisus purpureus, but only on separate racemes. Only yellow blooms seed.
Is very interested in JJW’s report on a purple laburnum grafted onto yellow stock which then produces yellow flowers. CD requests racemes to examine.
Sends CD some of the Cytisus, which has produced yellow flowers on a purple graft.
Regarding Cytisus graft with yellow flowers, CD thinks nurseryman has sold Cytisus adami to JJW’s brother in place of C. purpureus. This explains apparent "sport". [P.S. on envelope:] C. purpureus seeds freely. C. adami never does.
JJW is to think no more about mistake [regarding Cytisus graft].
E. Ray Lankester blackballed by Linnean Society. Another election planned. Would JJW use his influence in Lankester’s favour?
Declines invitation to accompany JJW to Crystal Palace.
Promises to propose JJW for membership in Zoological Society.
Sympathises with JJW’s enthusiasm about the Danais and hopes it may become naturalised in this country.
Discusses mule’s resemblance to parents.
Comments on JJW’s observations on mule
and hermaphroditism in hybrid moths.
Reversion of tamed animals to wild behaviour.
Trusts his paper ["Apterous Lepidoptera" (1867), printed for the West Kent Natural History, Microscopical, and Photographic Society] showed that he is thoroughly a disciple of CD.
Cites evidence that birds undoubtedly distinguish colours. [see Descent 2: 110.]
Thanks JJW for his paper on apterous insects [see 5939], which contained much new information.
Asks JJW for any information he may have on sexual selection.
Describes an experiment, still untried, of staining tail-feathers of male pigeons in bright colours to find the effect on courtship.
JJW’s note on birds was one of the most interesting CD has ever received. Asks several questions. CD is puzzled by cases of magpies whose mates were killed but who always immediately found others.
Alexander Wallace denies any effect of colour in sexual selection among Lepidoptera.
Aggressive behaviour of a bullfinch toward new arrival in JJW’s aviary.
Sexual differences in goldfinches: size of beaks.
Sexual selection in Lepidoptera.
Thinks Dr Alex Wallace’s observations on Bombyx not conclusive in proving that no preference is shown by females.
Does not think females give preference to any males. Coloration, pugnacity; cases of use of colour in struggle for existence. [see Descent 1: 395.]
Discusses beaks and relative numbers of the sexes of goldfinches.
Comments on sexual selection among butterflies.
Mentions Kerguelen moth collected by Hooker.
Comments on JJW’s observations on coloured birds.
Various facts about birds: pairing, finding new mates, protective coloration, polygamy, sexual differences.