Sends sheets of second issue [of Variation] with errata and changes to be made.

Refers to a favourable review,

and a contemptuous one in Athenæum written, he thinks, by Richard Owen [see 5931].

Review in Athenæum full of contempt. Is sure Owen wrote it [see 5931].

Gardeners’ Chronicle review [(1868): 184] favourable.

Fears Pangenesis is still-born. Cites Bates, Spencer, Lubbock, and Sir Henry Holland. Is sure Pangenesis will sometime reappear. Questions that are connected and answered by Pangenesis.

Offers to undertake publication of English translation of Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin. W. S. Dallas will translate it.

Is working on "Sexual selection"; asks WDF to send observations on birds’ finding new mates during breeding season [see Descent 2: 103–7].

Will forward LR’s memoir to Earl of Tankerville. Has sent LR’s pamphlet on "Darwin Lehre" [Die Grenzen der Thierwelt (1868)] to a German lady he employs as a translator. Cannot agree that there is an innate principle of perfection.

Thanks JM for presentation copies [of Variation]. Sends directions and list.

Has been told positively that hostile review in Athenæum was by Berthold Seemann, to whom he once refused a testimonial.

On the whole, reviews have been very good.

Will send English edition [of Variation] when available.

Mentions revisions in second issue concerning graft-hybrids.

Asks for Euryale seed for experiment.

Discusses fertility of crossed and self-fertilised plants.

Thanks for results on sexes of trout. [See 5793.] CD is collecting information about the proportional numbers of sexes in animals.

Is obliged for the facts about the hybrids [see 5910], which permit him to reject the view of B. D. Walsh (and H. W. Bates?) that organs play an important part in keeping incipient species distinct.

He has asked John Murray to send RM a copy of Variation.

Pleased by ARW’s response to Pangenesis.

On negative reception by his friends.

Further argument concerning sterility and natural selection.

Polygamy and sexual selection.

Protection.

Thanks for corrections of errors [in Variation].

Thanks JJW for his paper on apterous insects [see 5939], which contained much new information.

Asks JJW for any information he may have on sexual selection.

Describes an experiment, still untried, of staining tail-feathers of male pigeons in bright colours to find the effect on courtship.

Bird specimens collected by Capt. P. P. King eventually went to British Museum, but many specimens were incorrectly marked.

Asks whether the colouring of particular butterflies has any protective function, to ascertain whether the function is other than sexual.

Thanks GGS for information on the peacock’s feathers. Asks whether the colour zones around the "eye" could result from varying the thickness of the film of colouring matter or whether it would require different kinds of colouring matter.

Does not understand JDH on Pangenesis: on last page he appears to admit all that he regards as mere words on previous pages.

Wallace admires chapter on Pangenesis.

Pangenesis is a comfort. CD gains no idea from words like "potentiality" or "diffusing an influence"; atoms and cells give a distinct idea.

A. Newton told George that Berthold Seemann wrote the Athenæum review

and that Lewis [Lewes] did not write the Pall Mall Gazette review [see 5874].

CD sends thanks for information; he will write to Mr Bush.

In relation to the fecundation of ova CD adds that he has compared the use of very little pollen against an immense supply; found no difference in number or weight of seeds or in their germination.

Thanks LJ for his useful facts. Will "look to" the reference about the nightingale.

JJW’s note on birds was one of the most interesting CD has ever received. Asks several questions. CD is puzzled by cases of magpies whose mates were killed but who always immediately found others.

Alexander Wallace denies any effect of colour in sexual selection among Lepidoptera.

Writes at Frank Buckland’s suggestion. Can JB provide any information on the proportion of sexes in rats?

Do male rats fight for the possession of the female? Are they polygamous?