Comments on Descent [2: 358–60] especially on CD’s view that behaviour of lower animals is evidence against JL’s interpretation [of aboriginal promiscuity]. View on communal marriage.
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The Charles Darwin Collection
The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
Comments on Descent [2: 358–60] especially on CD’s view that behaviour of lower animals is evidence against JL’s interpretation [of aboriginal promiscuity]. View on communal marriage.
Having read extracts of CD’s work, he argues that the scriptural version of man’s origin is superior, and he is concerned about CD’s salvation.
Describes plans for travel in Morocco with George Maw and John Ball.
Has not yet read Descent.
Is studying Descent.
Raises two questions for CD: on the great percentage of female illegitimate births compared with legitimate,
and on clothing as accounting for hairlessness of humans.
Pleased with sum the reprint [of Descent] has produced. Terms of payment accepted.
Thanks JM for Nonconformist [review of Descent, 32 (1871): 240–1].
Would like to see other out-of-way reviews – especially religious.
Other reviews favourable, including Wallace’s [see 7569], which is admirable.
Demand [for Descent] is such that JM thinks he will have to print 1000 more copies. Does not want to trouble CD for corrections.
Thanks PH for his memoir on Poterion [Natuurkd. Verh. Utrecht 2 (1870)].
Asks name of an Abutilon from Fritz Müller.
Questions about Drosophyllum for experiments;
the meaning of "Sirdar".
Wonderful success of Descent. Astonished by liberality of public. No abuse yet.
Marvels at JDH’s plans for a trip to Morocco. Asks him to look for alpine insects.
Is astonished at sale [of Descent]. Will make no additions, but must correct a few misprints and errors [for third issue].
Comments on WRG’s MS on ratio of the sexes at birth.
Offers to send J. M. A. Thury’s paper ["Loi de production des sexes", Arch. Sci. Phys. & Nat. 18 (1863): 91–8].
Has this day sent off corrections for new issue [of Descent]. Asks whether title-page may read "Sixth Thousand".
Completes payment for 2d issue [of Descent]; has sold 1300 of the 2000 copies printed. Will probably print 2000 more for 3d issue.
Asks for photograph of pointed ear of ERL’s friend.
Amount received from 2d issue of Descent now stands at £840. Would be glad to have 2000 more copies printed because he wants time to collect information for a corrected edition.
Thanks LH for his account of a family weakness of the knee.
On the case of a male acquaintance with two pairs of mammae.
Interested in occurrence of hair on backs of weakly children. Asks PBM if he would report particulars of any case he observes during next 6–12 months.
On the flourishing sales of their respective books. Mentions reviews of Descent in Pall Mall Gazette [21 Mar 1871] and in the Spectator [11 Mar 1871, pp. 288–9; 18 Mar 1871, pp. 319–20].
Sends his signature.
Unfortunately he has missed an opportunity to review Descent in Nature.