Responds to ARW’s comments on CD’s argument about protection in Descent.
Comments on St G. Mivart’s criticism [Genesis of species (1871)]. "The pendulum will now swing against us."
Asks whether Bugis [Buggess] are Malays. [See 7587.]
Appreciative response to ARW’s "grand review" of Descent in the Academy [2 (1871–2): 177–82]. Comments in detail on ARW’s criticisms.
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].
Requests advice about Chauncey Wright’s article on Mivart’s Genesis of species [North Am. Rev. 113 (1871): 64–103]. CD thinks of publishing it as a pamphlet to counter impact of Mivart’s criticism of natural selection.
CD is allowing his family to decide whether Chauncey Wright’s paper on Mivart is dull.
Health and despondency.
Doubts his ability to answer Mivart successfully [in 6th ed. of Origin].
On a "remarkable" letter from Fritz Müller [see 7820] about mimicry, protection, and sexual selection.
Sends enclosure for ARW to read.
Sends 6th ed. of Origin;
draws attention to his criticism of ARW’s estimate of Kovalevsky;
mentions his disagreement with much of Spencer’s doctrine
and in a postscript points out an inaccuracy in an article in Once a Month.
On ARW’s "crushing" review [Nature 6 (1872): 237–9] of C. R. Bree’s An exposition of fallacies in the hypothesis of Mr Darwin.
Comments on other reviews and exchanges.
Encloses a letter to Nature [see 8448] correcting Dr Bree, who has accused ARW of "blundering". ARW should tear up CD’s letter if he does not like it or plans to reply himself.
Detailed response to reading of Bastian’s Beginnings of life [1872]. On the whole, it seems probable to CD that spontaneous generation is true.
Huxley’s report of Bastian’s having watched the development of the scale of Sphagnum. The importance of studies of possible causes of heterogenesis.
Remarks about an enclosed specimen,
and extract of letter from W. A. L. Marshall [8560].
ARW’s good review of J. C. Houzeau de Lehaie [Études sur les facultés mentales des animaux, in Nature 6 (1872): 469–71].
Requests the address of F. F. Geach so that he may send him his book [Expression].
Will be in London for a week. Invites ARW to lunch.
Response to ARW’s criticisms in his review [of Expression, Q. J. Sci. n.s. 3 (1873): 113–18].
Forwards photograph, sent by [J. L. G.] Krefft, of a chrysalis attached to its food-plant; the chrysalis has adjusted its colour remarkably.
Would be happy if ARW would undertake to help with correcting the proof-sheets of his revised edition of Descent. Outlines the job that would be required.
CD’s son [George] could do the work [of proof-correction for Descent, 2d ed.] if ARW finds he does not care for it.
