Matters of etiquette concerning his certificate for the Royal Society.
Matters of etiquette concerning his certificate for the Royal Society.
Sends about 15 sheets on instinct from his book [A philosophical treatise on the nature and constitution of man (1876)] for CD’s comments.
Asks CD if he can reconcile a passage in Mark Hopkins’ Outline study of man [1873] with the theory of development.
Prefaces Fritz Müller’s observations on termites and stingless bees [see 9281].
Has read GH’s proofs and, although not entirely in agreement, has no criticisms worth sending.
Birthday greetings.
On the decline of population of the Hawaiian Islands, before advent of Europeans; infanticide, polyandry.
Asks AG to sign an enclosure [see 9291].
Has sent FM’s letter on termites to Nature ["Habits of various insects", Nature 10 (1874): 102–3].
Would be interested in observations on the stingless bees of Brazil.
Thanks for birthday greetings.
Comments on work at Naples Zoological Station. F. M. Balfour to visit Naples. Would like to send third son [Francis Darwin] to learn art of observing marine animals.
Health indifferent.
On the declining population of the Hawaiian Islands [see Descent (1875), pp. 186–7, 187–8 n. 43].
Signs Robert Swinhoe’s certificate [for the Royal Society] with pleasure.
Feels CD’s and Fritz Müller’s judgments on his "Anwendung" essay [see 8313] are of highest value. Mentions some of FM’s comments.
Looks forward to second English edition of Descent.
Returns proofs; has no criticisms or remarks worth sending.
Asks HBT to sign certificate [for Royal Society] for Robert Swinhoe.
Offers information on pea-fowl for new edition of Variation.
Sends his observations on the fertilisation of Hedychium gardnerianum by sphinx moths. Did not look for pollen on the wing tips.
Gives the answers of two of the best dog breeders to CD’s queries.
Criticises sexual selection theory. Supports natural selection.
Gives CD references on proportion of sexes in spiders.
At the suggestion of Crichton-Browne CD writes on behalf of his son George, who is making a study of marriages between first cousins and of their offspring to determine the proportion of the latter who may be among the insane, deaf and dumb, idiotic, blind etc. Is GES willing to ask his patients [at the Royal Albert Asylum] for the information relevant to this study?