Is pleased to hear of Dr Heine’s interest in Origin. Questions whether Dr Heine’s law of inheritance can be demonstrated.
Is pleased to hear of Dr Heine’s interest in Origin. Questions whether Dr Heine’s law of inheritance can be demonstrated.
Encloses some poultry feathers.
Will read over and return CD’s MS on fowls. Has been delayed by an eye injury.
Thanks for Thomson’s and JDH’s views on Scott’s paper. Will send it back with advice and explanations.
Introduces Cholmondely Pennell of the Admiralty, who wants to speak to CD about a literary matter.
CD’s statement in Origin that clover is utterly dependent on humble-bee for fertilisation has been questioned by his friend’s evidence of visits by other insects. Asks CD’s opinion.
Has heard from Mr Pennell, and written to say too ill to see him. Would like to hear about skin between toes of otter hounds in comparison with other hounds.
JL’s MS at printer’s [Prehistoric times (1865)].
Apologises for failure to post letter.
Expresses pleasure at signs of CD’s recovery.
HWB’s work on the identification of species of the genus Colobthea; relates the large number of modifications that occur in the sexual organs of closely allied species. Does not doubt that this contributes greatly to multiplication of species in nature.
Thanks CD for subscribing to the Cybele Hibernica.
Reports some observations made on the common buffaloes of India seen swimming and diving in 12ft of floodwater in order to crop the herbage beneath.
Thanks for fact about the buffalo diving.
Asks whether the animal was a Bos or a Bubalus.
Mentions Miss Buckley’s information on roosting in trees [see Variation 1: 181 n.].
Refers to Duke [of Argyll] and his Lamarckian view of change.
Roosting habits and behaviour of pigeons in Egypt.
Criticises Herbert Spencer’s works.
Has finished Elements; comments on Laurentian stages.
Remarks on his health
and forthcoming work [Variation].
Sends copies of the Field containing all the pigeon articles [see 4785].
Luke Wells will undertake engravings for Variation.
Comments on BDW’s papers ["On certain entomological speculations of the New England school of naturalists", Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia 3 (1864): 207–49; "On insects inhabiting the galls of certain species of willow", ibid. 3 (1864): 543–644]; much is new to CD.
Asks about wide-ranging insect genera,
Rocky Mt. wingless insects,
willow hybrids,
galls,
and other subjects.
Arrangements for woodcuts for Variation.
WBT’s excellent article on crossing.
University has at last provided room for a small zoological museum. The Philosophical Society might donate its collections to it, including CD’s fishes.
He encloses a portrait and asks for one of CD.
He has sent mimetic paper to B. D. Walsh.
Mentions work at Royal Geographical Society on N. Pole business [plans for an Arctic expedition, eventually postponed until 1875–6].
Has made progress [on Variation]. Hopes it will go to press in the autumn. Lists his needs for cuts to be made – altogether 50.
Supposes Origin has ceased selling. Would be sorry to have labour of another edition. A new French edition is wanted.
It is Bos arni which dives for herbage and in so doing it also swallows many freshwater shrimps.
Did not know that the Arnee had been called a Bubalus.
Thanks for information about shrimps.
WBT’s eye is getting on very well.
Enclosure comments on a note to folio 1 [of CD’s MS on variation], WBT thinks his works not worth citing: his edition of the Poultry book was never completed and Profitable poultry is out of print.