Asks WED whether Langstaff could make some observations on certain facial muscles in expression.
Describes a curious litter of rabbits.
Pairing of rooks, courtship of golden pheasant.
Behaviour of finch hybrids.
Seasonal coloration of birds; bright plumage results from sexual selection.
In reading Variation, notices CD has not observed that after mallards have been domesticated their claws turn from black to white.
He and another Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn have signed the necessary certificates for admission of CD’s son [George].
Discusses rapid replacement of mates among birds. "I begin to think that the pairing of birds must be as delicate and tedious an operation as the pairing of young gentlemen and ladies. If I can convince myself that there are habitually many unpaired birds it will be a great aid to me in sexual selection". Notes rivalry of singing birds.
Heard from George Rolleston of the inherited effects of an eye injury.
Disagrees with A. R. Wallace’s idea "that birds learn to make their nests from having seen them whilst young" ["The philosophy of birds’ nests", Intellect. Obs. 11 (1867): 413–20].
About an American edition of Variation.
Instinct in birds; nest-building.
Inheritance of acquired characters.
Sends CD a copy of a book he has had printed mainly for the interest of his children and grandchildren [later published as Recollections of past life (1872)].
In addition to the drawing of a caterpillar which CD intends to use,
HWB sends information on differences of colour and pattern between the sexes of species of Papilio.
Argynnis diana and A. sagana have females that are brightly coloured, but these may be cases of protective mimicry.
Gives the evidence on which he relied for his view, which CD thinks is erroneous, of proportion of sexes in Lepidoptera.
Sends a cheque for £3 6s. for stereotypes of Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin (F. Müller 1864).
Has studied Variation with interest.
Cannot quite follow CD on reversion and Pangenesis,
but is amazed at CD’s observations and method.
Comments on varieties of asses, kidney beans, and artichokes.
Thanks HWB for answering questions.
The MS on Lepidoptera is almost finished and he is glad HWB will read it; he is fearful of mistakes, not being familiar with the subject.
"Please give Bearer Books for me.–"
Charles Langstaff on action of muscles in crying. He believes the primary object of the contraction of the orbicularis is to protect the eye from blood.
Blushing on the body.
Is not surprised that GB cannot digest Pangenesis, but it has been an immense relief to CD in tying together large classes of facts.
Sends names of men writing on crossing of plants. Criticises some French observations. Praises Hildebrand and Federico Delpino.
Sends pamphlets.
CD is experimenting on a large scale on difference in plants raised from self-fertilised and crossed seeds.
F. Hildebrand has produced a graft-hybrid which seems to lend important support to Pangenesis.
On proportion of sexes;
coloration of sexes in Lepidoptera.
Sexual attraction of female Saturnia carpini.
His opinion of Pangenesis.
On relative proportion of sexes in marine animals [sthg missing!?] Crustacea.
Sexual differences.
Music of Cicadae.
Likes WBT’s review [of Variation] in the Field [31 (1868): 309, 350].
Awaits remarks on coloured pigeons and proportion of sexes.
Thanks CD for gift of Variation.
GB sent copies of his Fisica del globo [1868] to Lyell and the presidents of British scientific societies but has received no acknowledgment; asks CD to check that they received the work. Could CD arrange for a notice of the book to appear in England?
