Would be glad to send GRG a testimonial of his abilities as a naturalist, but is not qualified to express opinion on his works in ornithology or entomology.
Gives information on the proportions of sexes of certain moths. [See Descent 1: 313.]
Has already referred Haeckel’s request to J. S. Bowerbank.
Has lost track of collectors and naturalists "by grace of the dredge" because of other work and ""the great question of "Darwinismus" which is such a worry to us all"".
Family health.
Appends an eight-year list of lambs for CD’s private information.
On reading F. Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin [1869].
Pangenesis.
Agrees with CD on fascination [of snakes].
Huxley is at Comte again.
Discusses need for cross-fertilisation in Geranium.
Hooker begins to doubt whether Drosophyllum so closely allied to Drosera.
On the genealogy of the horse.
Ernst Haeckel is working on calcareous sponges. Does AH have any British specimens that he can spare? [See 6842.]
Reports reviews of Facts and arguments for Darwin [1869].
Is preparing for a French translation of Orchids.
The case of Abutilon which is sterile with some individuals is remarkable.
Has sent FM’s account of the monstrous Begonia to the Linnean Society.
Sends notes on lack of variation in seedlings of trees and shrubs
and on climbers changing their character with age.
Admits that he had disobeyed his instructions and dispatched a box of bones to him by rail. Gives an account of the discovery of the bones at Perth y Chwaril on the Rhagatt estate. He has promised Miss Lloyd to obtain from WBD the English names of the principal bones.
More on the problem of the increase of elephants (see 6806f and 6820).
Sends C. M. Browne’s notes on transmission of colour in greyhounds [see Variation, 2d ed., 2: 40]
and a letter from Major Holland.
WBT to visit America.
Has been asked by Henry Powell [new vicar of Down] for help to build a house at Down; asks for CD’s advice.
Responds to questions about sex ratios at birth and mortality in either sheep or cattle.
Further queries on poultry plumage.
WBT’s visit to America.
Wants to know whether CD is related to Edward Darwin, who married a French woman in 1823.
CD passes on notes prepared for the French translation of Orchids so that his book may be brought up to date in English as well.
An article in North British Review by mathematician against Hooker and Huxley and for William Thomson [P. G. Tait, "Geological time", North Br. Rev. 50 (1869): 406–39]. Feels a conviction that world will be found older than reviewer makes it.
Article on "Design" [by J. B. Mozley] in Quarterly Review [127 (1869): 134–76].
Has JDH studied Drosophyllum?
Cannot help CD with his request for calcareous sponges.