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Plants found on his way back from Dundee last week. Specimen of Carabus enclosed in brown paper [Carabus nitens]. Asks advice about Willie, whose reports are not good. Owing to ill health and delicacy of constitution he is really 2-3 years younger than other lads his age. Could Meldola ask Professor Thompson whether Willie would be permitted to repeat the year, if he fails the exam?.
Thanks for informing him that Willie will be admitted to the intermediate course. "I fear he has not much "go" in him, but I was much the same at his age, and it took me a long time to understand many things." More about Willie's reports and lectures. Is preparing new edition of Natural Selection and Tropical Nature plus changes to Malay Archipelago. Visit to Portland with Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. Mentions a Mr. Holmes.
Reasons why he hasn't seen so much of Meldola lately. Usually stays with his sister in West Brompton.
About Romanes. The only point of importance he makes is that "all simple variations are absolutely useless and that variations can only be useful when many kinds that are coordinated in action arise together." Should point out the extreme improbability of this assumption. Discusses his view of variation. Has been busy with builders. Mentions a Mr. and Mrs. Cohen.
Tells Meldola that he has put his foot in it -due to content of his letter Romanes sees Meldola as a "disciple converted to his arguments!!" Discusses his view of variations, and criticises Romanes. Tells Meldola "I hope you have another slap at him.".
Wishes to stay in London for a second meeting - will arrive at Meldola's house after visiting the NHM with Violet.
About Jesuit writers. Advice about U.S. for prospective fruit grower.
Seeking information about telescopes. "I have all my life been longing for a decent telescope but could never afford one." Violet is interested in the stars - following a visit to Mrs Fisher (Miss Buckley). About Will's accident - has damaged his eye.
About medals just presented. Will is returning from college - future work plans. Discusses Fisher's Physics of the Earth's Crust. About his article on the Permanence of the Oceanic Basins for Natural Science.
About diamond beetles for an old correspondent in Melbourne (Charles French, Exhibition buildings, Melbourne). Comments on mimicry.
ARW sends proof of article on heredity. Comments on his argument and purpose. Will has left Siemens and is going to see Crookes. Comments on J. A. Allen's review in the Ark, Romanes article in reply to Spencer, and Weismann's book The Germ Plasm.
Discussion of individual adaptability question. Spencer is disturbed by possibility of non-heredity of acquired characteristics. Will go to the Lakes and Derbyshire in a week. Royal Society - minute books - who attended meetings?.
Has been asked best way to kill bullocks! Will is now an apprentice to an electrical engineer in Newcastle. ARW secured the position through a friend, although he had to pay a £200 premium. Discusses his two articles on the Ice Age in the Fortnightly Review.
About Meldola's visit on Sunday.
About recent outings. Criticism of American Neo-Lamarckians.
About Entomology. Describing is not of special use to the philosophical generaliser, but collecting, naming and classifying are most essential. He had described very little - except palms, when he wrote his papers on variation- but very experienced in these other areas. Errors of Galton and Bateson are due to want of such training. Description of trip to Switzerland with Mitten in the summer. Will's work with Mr Holmes.
Arrangements for the Meldola's visit. Is writing an article on the utility of all specific characteristics, and has also reviewed Cope's book for Nature.
Glad that he had nothing to do with the mimicry book. Will be giving a paper at the Linnean on "The Utility of all Specific Characteristics." Views on Essex Forest.
About Linnean meeting. Description of "woad" from Chamber's Encyclopaedia.