Transformism explains rudimentary organs, and teratology, which are otherwise inexplicable.
Looking forward to publication of Descent
and CD’s expected book on "Variation in nature" [see Variation 1: 4].
Showing 81–100 of 674 items
Transformism explains rudimentary organs, and teratology, which are otherwise inexplicable.
Looking forward to publication of Descent
and CD’s expected book on "Variation in nature" [see Variation 1: 4].
Describes his brother Alexander’s discovery of male of Bonellia, a striking example of dimorphism. Encloses a plate with notes on his brother’s work.
The difficulty his wife, Sofya Kovalevsky, has had as a woman in being admitted to Berlin University. Kirchow [Gustav Robert Kirchhoff], at Heidelberg, has taken an interest in her.
On the expression of disagreeable surprise.
Responds to her suggested corrections [of Descent].
Sends MS [of chs. 3 and 4, "Comparison of the mental powers of man and the lower animals", Descent] to HED for her criticism. CD fears parts are too much like a sermon; "who wd ever have thought I shd turn parson?"
CD was good enough to send notice of his new book [Descent] for the first number of the Academy; asks for further contributions and suggestions.
Experiments with Lapageria.
Would like to call at 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning.
Would like to see JDH become Sir J. H. Does not think JDH owes his position in science to his father.
Sends questions on Round Island – if JDH should write [to Henry Barkly?].
Has he read Federico Delpino on Marantaceae [Nuovo G. Bot. Ital. 1 (1869): 293–206]?
Will not be returning to London for a week; writes to save CD’s calling.
HM intends studying bees to find evidence supporting CD’s theories. His work has shown him there are problems in separating species from varieties, and has also revealed many surprising instances of variation in habits.
Interested that HM is studying structure of insects in relation to flowers.
The "man-essay" [Descent] is "very interesting but very difficult".
Cat-like behaviour in dogs.
Thanks for information from Louis Agassiz;
wishes he could feel he deserves what Alexander Agassiz says of him.
Interim report on the experiments with rabbits [to test Pangenesis].
Thanks CD for copy of Origin.
Encloses extensive, but incomplete, notes on expression among the insane, dealing specifically with blushing and the actions of the platysma and grief muscles.
CD much interested by ERL’s book [On comparative longevity (1870)]. Is pleased to find ERL refers to CD’s "despised child" Pangenesis, and is also pleased how thoroughly ERL appreciates Herbert Spencer, a philosopher perhaps equal to any that has lived.
Is currently at work on the development in birds of organs of flight according to CD’s principles; asks permission to quote CD in stating the theory.
Urges CD to republish his works in a collected edition, to make them more readily available to Germans.
Describes the unusual appearance of a horse whose mother had previously borne a foal by a quagga. The effect of one mating on the subsequent pregnancy of another mating is explained by JJW using Pangenesis.
CD thinks JJW’s account [in 7137] is significant for a theory of generation and should go to some scientific society; suggests additional data is needed. Quotes cases of subsequent progeny apparently affected by a previous impregnation. Perhaps not prudent to allude to "despised" Pangenesis, which CD fully believes will have its day.
Experiments are not going well, but the quantity of blood transfused was small.