Is pleased that HHHvZ has appended his notes to his translation [of Expression and is obliged for the abstract of these notes [see 8712].
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The Charles Darwin Collection
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.
Is pleased that HHHvZ has appended his notes to his translation [of Expression and is obliged for the abstract of these notes [see 8712].
"If you will apply to any bookseller whatever you will procure a copy.–– Publisher Murray."
CD appreciates the correspondent’s suggestion.
Drosophyllum arrived; none of his observations turned out as he expected, but nevertheless he understands its habits better than he did. The secreting hairs that he observed may be explained as a mere chemical reaction.
Comments on various articles he has read.
Asks for Thiselton-Dyer’s notes.
Gives opinion on the merits of Mr [Stephen P. J.] Eng[leheart (Darwin family doctor)]. Believes he would make an excellent county officer if elected to the district office of health.
Asks for certain observations to be made on Drosera and Dionaea.
Comments on FG’s article ["Hereditary improvement", Fraser’s Mag. 87 (1873): 116–30]. Finds it "the sole feasible, yet I fear utopian, plan of procedure in improving the human race".
Thanks for rabbits for Balfour.
Mentions reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas [of life (1872)].
Asks whether his observations on absorptive powers of glandular hairs of plants are new facts.
Asks for a Drosophyllum.
Comments on Francis Galton’s article in Fraser’s Magazine,
Greg’s Enigmas,
and Alphonse de Candolle’s Histoire des sciences.
Has received, through AG, a letter on Dionaea [from W. M. Canby] which has greatly interested him. CD asks AG to question his correspondent on whether it catches large or small insects.
Mary Treat will observe Drosera filiformis.
Has pleasure in signing the [missing] enclosure, with every word of which he fully agrees.
Explains why he wants Drosophyllum.
Hopes JDH will be elected President of Royal Society.
Agrees with JDH on Greg’s Enigmas.
Would like Greg to visit Down if JDH comes as CD’s "protector".
Thanks MDC for letter on expression [see 8694].
Invites him to Down on 24th. CD warns that his health does not permit him to talk long with anyone.
Discusses two factors possibly causing modification of body or mind of an organism; habit and direct action of external conditions on the one hand, and selection, natural or artificial, on the other; considers their relative importance.
Had thrown Geographical Society’s Proceedings in waste-basket, but as Strachey shows such admirable powers of discrimination he will fish it out and read the whole article.
Comments on 3d ed. of Sachs’s work [Lehrbuch der Botanik (1873)]. Wishes he were more controversial.
Has become wonderfully interested in Drosera and Dionaea.
9000 copies of Expression have been printed and most are sold.
Response to ARW’s criticisms in his review [of Expression, Q. J. Sci. n.s. 3 (1873): 113–18].
JP’s note [8739] suggests reversion, but that is an easy trap. Will look to the ears of "our brethren at the Zool. Gardens".
The evidence of tameness of Alpine butterflies [see 8672] seems good and the fact is surprising to CD for they can hardly have acquired this in their short life-time.
The question whether butterflies are attracted to bright colours independently of the supposed presence of nectar is still unanswered.
CD has great difficulty in believing that any temporary condition of parents can affect the offspring.
Pangenesis is much reviled, but CD must still look at generation from this point of view, which makes him averse to believing that an emotion has any effect on the offspring.
On EH’s Die Kalkschwämme [1872].
Sends HA’s paper ["On leaf arrangement"] with a supporting note [from CD] to Royal Society.
Discusses JDB’s views on the spread of human-like creatures across the world, and the development of language.