JS does not fully accept natural selection.
Has never raised oxlips from cowslips or primroses; reports of such must be cases of crossing.
Discusses relative fertility of varieties, self-fertility of hybrids, and plans for experiments on enhanced hybrid fertility.
Just finished HWB’s paper ["Contributions to an insect fauna of the Amazon valley", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 23 (1862): 495–566], one of the most remarkable he has ever read. Found mimetic cases and connection of facts marvellous. Finds equally important the facts on variation and segregation of complete and semi-complete species. Questions whether insect mimicry is not due to small size and defencelessness. Criticises title of paper. Mentions that Wallace will appreciate it.
No summary available.
Comments on the recent meeting at the R.A.S. when A. D'Orsan's book was shown.
Requests return of proofs, in triplicate, of JH's report on a paper on stopping cracks in cement.
Writes to invite JH to publish, in the R.S.P.T., his report on William Hopkins's paper on glaciers.
Acknowledges receipt of £245 18s.
JH’s account of the Tomline estate gives CD some regret.
CD expresses his high opinion of TFJ’s scientific qualifications for lecturing on agriculture.
EB has had his pension disallowed; is coming to England.
Recommends H. W. Bates’s paper on butterflies of Amazonia ["Insect fauna of the Amazon valley", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 23 (1862): 495–566].
Lyell’s book [Antiquity of man (1863)] is eagerly awaited.
No summary available.
Examined Epilobium 20 or 30 years ago at Shrewsbury. In a flash remembered it as dimorphic, but had forgotten its name.
Gratified by CD’s approval of paper which was also praised by Hooker and Wallace. Only cares for one other opinion, that of C. Felder of Vienna. He finds ordinary entomologists are not scientific men. Asks for more criticisms; desires to publish paper in a widely circulating journal to advertise his book.
Answers on Begonia.
Snapdragon crossing experiments.
Thanks for offer of plants.
No summary available.
Gives reference to his observations on tendrils [Proc. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. 4: 98–9].
Notes cases in which the pollen of the fertilising plant affects the form of the fruit of the fertilised plant, e.g., gourds and maize.
Discusses the Civil War and the attitudes of the English press.
Sends Asa Gray letter: "nearly as mad as ever in our English eyes".
Bates’s paper is admirable. The act of segregation of varieties into species was never so plainly brought forth.
CD is a little sorry that his present work is leading him to believe rather more in the direct action of physical conditions. Regrets it because it lessens the glory of natural selection and is so confoundedly doubtful.
JDH laid too much stress on importance of crossing with respect to origin of species; but certainly it is important in keeping forms stable.
If only Owen could be excluded from Council of Royal Society Falconer would be good to put in. CD must come down to London to see what he can do.
Falconer’s article in Journal of the Geological Society [18 (1862): 348–69] shows him coming round on permanence of species, but he does not like natural selection.
Sends Lythrum salicaria diagram.
Sending the results of some recent balloon flights. Comments on these. Would be pleased to see Alexander Herschel when he is free.
No summary available.
Comments on HW's The Earth and Its Mechanism. HW erred by taking at face value François Arago's 'enormous blunder' of proving rotation from diurnal aberration.