Interesting article by Fritz Müller on sexual selection in butterflies, Kosmos [1 (1877): 388–95].
JDH has just returned from U. S., where he worked on N. American geographical distribution with Asa Gray.
Doubts that glands of calyx of cleistogamic Malpighiaceae serve as protection.
Some species of Solanum bear long- and short-styled flowers on same plant.
Changing colours of some flowers may show insects the proper moment for fertilisation.
Doubts that the style of Pontederia cordata changes length.
Sexual difference in wings of some butterflies due to development in male of scales that emit odours to excite female.
Would like to see the Kosmos article.
Is considering producing a translation of August Weismann’s essays.
Comments on Wallace’s paper on the colours of animals and plants [Macmillan’s Magazine 36 (1877): 384–408, 464–71].
Has read JT’s address ["Science and man", The Times, 2 October 1877, p. 8]. What JT says about CD honours and pleases him. JT’s short character of Faraday is beautiful.
JBI reports that the editor of Journal of Horticulture has identified the tree at Loch Carron as Sambucus racemosa, red-berried elder.
Welcomes JDH home from American expedition.
Specimen ruined in transit.
Drosera spathulata modified form of D. rotundifolia.
Sends reference regarding Bolbophyllum.
Thinks Weismann would welcome a translation.
Was dissatisfied with Wallace’s article.
CD sends £5.5.0 with a formal note "as some aid to Mrs Beke", but does not wish to subscribe for Dr Beke’s work on Mt Sinai.
Asks for some seeds of coniferous plants. Wants to examine their first leaves.
Loss of water from leaf surfaces; action of a still air layer.
Proposal for CD’s LL.D.
Sends plant specimens for CD’s examination for genetic affinity with Drosera rotundifolia
Accepts CD’s offer to send numbers of Kosmos.
WEG thinks the evidence from Homer’s text is conclusive that his "discrimination of colour was as defective as his sense of form and of motion was exact and lively".
Sends seeds of plants for CD to elucidate floral anatomy.
Sends his paper on Selliera fertilisation [Trans. & Proc. N. Z. Inst. 9 (1876): 542–5]; contrasts it to CD’s description of Leschenaultia [Collected papers 2: 162–5].
Describes the irritability of Glossostigma elatinoides which he concludes is a mechanism to ensure cross-fertilisation.
Asks for key and letter to be sent to him at the New University Club in London.
Returns [unspecified] enclosure.
Thanks WCW for sending specimens. Drosera spathulata must be descended from some form like D. rotundifolia.
Sends WEG the two articles [see 11163] with references.
CD thinks savages do not have names for shades of colours, which is curious since those he has known have names for every slight promontory or hill.