Has read MS of AM’s review [of Origin, read at Edinburgh Royal Society, 20 Feb 1860]; has no complaints. Has never heard of a hostile reviewer’s doing so kind and generous an action [as sending his MS for CD’s criticism?]. Sends some remarks on details.
In his former note CD omitted to criticise AM’s explanation that the function of hybridisation is to prevent extinction should the males of a rare species die out.
Disputes that "Oken, Lamarck & Co throw some light on Classification, Embryology & Rudimentary organs". In the case of embryology there must be introduced the principle of variations not supervening at a very early age and being inherited at corresponding ages. In classification descent alone will not do; it must be combined with the principle of divergence of character and descent from dominant and increasing forms.
Thanks for AM’s kindness.
CD did not understand him about "prepotency".
With respect to cave animals CD believes that on reflection AM will admit "that on creation doctrine, there has been surprising diversity for such similar habitation".
Has heard from A. von Keyserling who "makes no difficulty about imperfection of Geological Record".
Sends pamphlet by Asa Gray [Natural selection not inconsistent with natural theology (1861)]. Hopes AM may get it noticed in any natural history periodical in Edinburgh.
Will send AM a corrected [3d] edition of Origin. AM will find little alteration in the parts he attacked, which, to the best of CD’s judgment, did not seem to require correction. Assures AM that he does not send his new edition out of bravado.
Thanks AM for his note. [Asa Gray’s] pamphlet was meant for AM if he thinks it worth accepting.
Did CD lend AM a pamphlet on cave insects by S. Scudder ["On the genus Raphidophora", Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 8 (1861–2): 6–14]? CD much wants it and remembers lending it to someone.
Wishes AM success in undertaking his work on geographical distribution [The geographical distribution of mammals (1866)]. CD has no suggestions to make as he has not recently attended to the subject.
He is still weak after his long illness and supposes he will ever remain so.