Obliged for letter on worm-castings. Asks GK to observe them in southern Europe.
Showing 61–79 of 79 items
Obliged for letter on worm-castings. Asks GK to observe them in southern Europe.
Sends a copy of Expression and his autograph.
Sends a copy of Expression
and speaks fondly of his memories of Woodhouse and the Owen family.
Thanks SH for news of her family. Would like her to visit Down in the spring.
Pros and cons of answering Owen’s letter.
On Artizans’ Dwellings, he approves the object but it is lost money as an investment.
Thanks for Louisville Courier Journal.
Discusses production of plates [for Expression].
Thanks for information about the Atropia.
Comments on additional printing of Expression. Complains about poor quality of plates.
Mentions publication of Expression.
Asks whether children born blind ever frown, shed tears, or contract orbicular muscles.
Congratulates FCD on his anniversary [as Professor at Utrecht].
CD is grateful for the eulogy in Index [no. 104]. Many would disagree. It is the fashion to say he is a good observer with "an utterly illogical mind".
CD believes that StGJM has been unfair in his criticisms and has misrepresented him; he begs him not to write again. "Agassiz has uttered splendid sarcasms on me, but I still feel quite friendly towards him. M. Flourens cd. not find words to express his contempt of me: Pictet & Hopkins argued with great force against me: Fleeming Jenkin covered me with first-rate ridicule; & his crticisms were true & most useful: but none of their writings have mortified me as yours have done …" [See 8154.]
Requests that JM make stereotype plates of 6th edition of Origin available to D. Appleton. This will be last edition and CD is "extremely anxious" to spread his views.
Encloses a testimonial for AG [in support of his application for a promotion at British Museum].
Does he agree with Carl Gegenbaur’s paper on the limbs of fish [Jenaische Z. Naturwiss. 5 (1870): 397–447]?
Asks what caused G. R. Gray’s sudden death.
Has read JD’s articles in the Gardeners’ Chronicle [(1872): 872, 904–5].
Questions him on the fertility of certain varieties of Pelargonium which are fertile with some varieties but infertile with others.
Encloses a letter to Nature [see 8448] correcting Dr Bree, who has accused ARW of "blundering". ARW should tear up CD’s letter if he does not like it or plans to reply himself.
Wants to make a present to her on the move to a new house.
Cannot accept honour of nomination as Lord Rector [of Aberdeen University].
If decapod does not pass through zoea stage, is this acceleration? If hypothetical adult retained zoea characters, would this be retardation? Believes obliteration of growth stages frequently due to natural selection. Most interesting points in AH’s letter deal with senile characters. CD attributes them to laws of growth not selection. Explains degraded characters as result of readaptation to simpler conditions. Believes no innate tendency to progressive development exists.
Hopes AH visits F. Hilgendorf’s famous deposit [at Steinheim]. A. Weismann [Einfluss der Isolierung (1872)] makes good use of Hilgendorf’s observations.