Acknowledges receipt of promissory note for £372 from JM for third edition of Origin.
Acknowledges receipt of promissory note for £372 from JM for third edition of Origin.
Discusses family and domestic matters.
Thanks for information about natural increase of Chillingham cattle. Compares with case in Paraguay.
Asks D. Beaton whether varieties of the same species of Compositae frequently cross by insect agency or other means. Do the raisers of hollyhocks have to keep each variety separate for raising seed?
Asks TCE to confirm some general statements on resemblances in skeletons of birds of same genus.
Henslow’s long suffering.
Donald Beaton’s articles in Cottage Gardener clever but not to be trusted.
[Letter printed in REG, Tabular view of the primary divisions of the animal kingdom.] Dedicates his book to CD in testimony of his admiration of CD’s successful attempt to throw light on "the mystery of mysteries of organic nature".
Describes results of his experiments with hollyhocks. Some varieties breed true even though growing near others. This suggests that their pollen is "pre-potent" over that of other varieties, which is not the case with most plants. Asks some questions on which he would be glad to have correspondent work. [See also 3170.]
Henslow’s death.
What a contrast C. C. Babington will be as Professor of Botany at Cambridge.
Beaton not to be trusted.
CD may switch from Athenæum to London Review & Wkly J. Polit.
Acknowledges receipt of £239 9s. 7d.
Chauncey Wright’s review of Origin.
Family plans for Torquay in summer.
J. S. Henslow’s death.
Thanks JFWH for his "Physical geography" [from the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1861)]
and for what he says about Origin, though JFWH goes but a little way with CD. Gives reasons why he cannot accept "Design" in nature, though he is in a "complete jumble" on the point. Is confident of his views because they have aided good workers in several fields to "group and understand many scattered facts".
CD’s doubts on biography of Henslow. Writing recollections of Cambridge days at JDH’s request.
Thanks BJS for account of Mendoza earthquake.
FitzRoy sent CD the last London Review [& Weekly J. Polit.] and he read the article on Genesis, but feels it is an attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable.
Is obliged to Mr Bennett for information, the same relayed through Consul General Mr Crowe.
CD is interested in information that provides insight into the colour of the aboriginal horse and the possibility that the offspring of a cross between differently-coloured breeds revert to the colour of the aboriginal parent. He has examined crosses between pigeons for this purpose and would welcome any analogous facts resulting from crossing of distinct breeds.
Has heard, through Lubbock, of a gentleman who is offering a partnership in a bank.
Discusses the possibility of a banking job for William [Darwin]; wishes to meet JL to discuss the prospects.
Bearer brings three Porto Santo rabbits. Will ADB keep them and see whether they can be crossed with some other breed? CD believes they have become much reduced in size and modified in colour since their introduction into the island.
Discusses the opportunity for WED to become a partner in a bank.
Requests that exotic species of Vinca, which never set seed at Kew, be fertilised by pressing a fine bristle between anthers as a moth would its proboscis.
Asks that Primula farinosa be sent.