Asks CD about the origin of certain expressions in man.
Asks CD about the origin of certain expressions in man.
Opposes all corporal punishment. Pleased CD agrees with his pamphlet.
Insists that suckling babies pound and scratch mothers’ breasts. Perhaps CD’s evidence to the contrary comes from ladies, who only expose small portion of bosom, as opposed to working-class women.
Various observations on sexual selection portion of Descent – ostriches, rosy-billed duck, egrets, rails, etc.
Thanks CD for one of his books.
Much obliged for seeds. Will expose seeds to chemical vapours.
Comments on JTM’s spider experiments.
Astonished by Agassiz’s argument; has sent AG’s memorandum to Nature [see 8786].
Is working on cross- and self-fertilising plants and has temporarily stopped work on Drosera.
Thanks them for their kind letter and interest in his work. Sends photograph.
Sends CD a copy of his book [Die Urgeschichte der Menschheit, 2 vols. (1873)].
In Germany CD’s views have achieved great recognition among naturalists, but in other disciplines there is great controversy. OC’s book seeks to resolve the controversy by showing how state, morals, religion, and church have developed from natural beginnings.
Recounts instances suggesting that animals have a sense of direction.
A circular advertising a meeting at the Senate House, Cambridge, on 25 March to discuss a memorial to Professor Adam Sedgwick.
Is glad and proud to honour the memory of Adam Sedgwick [d. 1873].
Sorry that his health prevents him attending a meeting to honour Adam Sedgwick.
Thanks for CD’s regrets at AWB’s leaving Nature.
Plans English editions of Asa Gray’s books [How plants grow; How plants behave].
Other publication plans.
Thanks for congratulations on appearance of abstract of HA’s paper [Nature 7 (1873): 343–4].
Explains again his theory of "contraction with twist" by which compact buds and a spiral phyllotaxy have evolved. Explains how the peculiar phyllotaxy of the teasel is explicable by this process of "condensation".
CD’s notice in Nature [Collected papers 2: 171–2] induces WP to send letters from correspondents recounting stories of a dog that learned to open a door and of another that found his way home from London to Cowes.
CD has discovered correspondent intends to present a petition to the House of Commons on which CD’s is the sole signature. Asks that his name be erased unless other signatures are added.
Two students express their gratitude and admiration.
Does not understand TM’s views on sex and vitality.
Agrees no real "essences" in genera, only broken groups of species.
Thanks WP for his accounts of sagacity of dogs. "I can believe almost anything about them."