Sends specimens of gulf-weed and cirripedes for CD to identify.
Various observations on Descent,
inherited deafness,
recognition of musical notes by dog, etc.
Showing 1–20 of 35 items
Sends specimens of gulf-weed and cirripedes for CD to identify.
Various observations on Descent,
inherited deafness,
recognition of musical notes by dog, etc.
Corrects Descent: snipes do breed in Ireland.
Is sending his reply to Nature, justifying his misunderstanding as well as he can [see 7717].
Intends to answer Sir A. Grant’s article if CD does not. [A. Grant, "Philosophy and Mr Darwin", Contemp. Rev. 17 (1871): 274–81; H. Spencer, "Mental evolution", Contemp. Rev. 17 (1871): 461–2.]
Credit for observation on supra-condyloid foramen in man is really due to Robert Knox, not John Struthers, as in Descent.
Contraction of platysma occurs during surgery under chloroform from touch of knife, independently of fear.
After reading Descent, MTM sends report of a dog that woke its master at 7 a.m. on work days and 8 a.m. on Sunday.
Arrangements for Italian translation of Descent [1871].
Delighted that CD does not hesitate to follow his theory to its last consequences. "This is far more difficult in England than in Germany."
Wilhelm Müller in his new book [Beiträge zur pathologischen Anatomie und Physiologie des menschlichen Rückenmarks (1871)], adduces many facts in favour of CD’s theory.
Various observations on the human ear. [See Descent, 2d ed., p. 14 n.]
Offers CD same payment for the 3d issue of Descent as for 2d.
Has bespoke four better drawings of birds in case a 4th issue is needed.
Vanity Fair wants CD’s portrait by Carlo Pellegrini ["Ape"].
Thanks CD for his letter referring to JWS’s bibliographical paper ["Darwinian bibliography", Z. Ethnol. 3 (1871): 56–67]. Will be glad to inform CD of any additions to the list and would be grateful for information on future publications.
Paris is in the hands of "brigands and socialists", but one grows accustomed to sporadic bombardment,
and VOK is peacefully studying invertebrate palaeontology collections.
Reports on Paul Gervais’ successful cross between a Triton and an axolotl.
Wishes to inform CD that, contrary to CD’s impression, natural selection is widely accepted in U. S. by educated men; encloses copies of his lectures, papers, and the Index.
Writes that he does not share at all in Lionel Beale’s letter in Nature [4 (1871): 25–6];
his new experiments are not hopeful.
Has arranged a trip to the U. S. with Cambridge friends; believes it would be much jollier if Frank could go too.
Recommends [W. M. Williams] The fuel of the sun [1870] as remarkably illuminating about physical astronomy. Williams solves the problem of duration of sun’s heat in "a most satisfactory manner".
Disagrees with CD and especially with Lubbock and McLennan about communal marriage. [See Descent 2: 361–3.]
He is waiting to hear about the requirements for the MB examination before considering the possible trip to north America.
Thanks for the cheque, and also for the offer to pay for him to go on a trip to north America with G. H. Darwin.
Explains about the attendance at St George’s hospital that is required for the MB examaminations, and how this would affect plans for a trip to north America.