Encourages RP in his speculations about the nebulae and the structure of the Milky Way, which RP suggested is formed of a 'system of convolutions,' but raises objections to RP's views. Discusses idea that the Milky Way contains miniatures of itself and that beyond it may be a hierarchy of universes comparable to the Milky Way.
Apologises for and explains the delay in supplying Haeckel with sponge specimens.
Mentions some of the interesting crustacean specimens he has received from the Porcupine cruise off the West of Ireland.
Gives the definition of ‘distal’ and explains what ‘thrips’ are. Suggests that LR uses his descretion in his translation of Orchids about certain descriptive phrases such as ‘saddle-formed’, but suggests he use them each at least once.
Declines offer to look over LR’s translation.
Asks whether the wild boar in India is polygamous.
Suggests Englishmen who might provide sponge specimens.
Sexual differences in Labidocera darwinii, in Entomostraca, and Myriapoda.
Encloses letter from W. B. Dawkins concerning "our old savage progenitors with their ground-down teeth".
Huxley has shown him the jaws of an Anoplotherium brought from the Gallegos by R. O. Cunningham.
Saw Hallett’s wheat crops at Brighton; results of his selection very striking.
Huxley is assembling his Darwiniana papers for republication.
Has written a crushing reply to Richard Congreve ["The scientific aspects of positivism", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 5 (1869): 653–70] and JDH feels "infantine" beside him.
Comments on Sabine’s being offered and accepting K.C.B.
On the antennae of Labidocera.
Size of sexes in Entomostraca.
Visiting arrangements.
No summary available.
Polygamous breeding habits of the Indian wild boar. [See Descent 1: 267.]
No summary available.
Replies to JDH on Hallett; doubts that already improved varieties do not vary in other respects.
The North British Review article [see 6841] is worth reading "scientifically"; it made CD feel small.
Awaits JDH’s decision on affinities of Drosophyllum and Drosera.
Is curious to see proportion of males to females in recent census in India.
Speculates on the function of the separate stamen of papilionaceous flowers.
No summary available.
Offers TSC specimens of parasitic worms collected by CD in S. America.
Thanks for two copies of Teoria Darwiniana, one of which has been sent to the Royal Society.
Elaborates on his hypothesis that all forms of nebulae are part of the Milky Way and on his 'twisted-stream theory' of the Milky Way's structure. Favors view that dark matter is relatively common in space and that it extinguishes light from distant objects. Proposes method of measuring stellar diameters.
Is trying to get JH 2 copies of Physique sociale. Discusses additions. Addresses JH's comments concerning power of a supreme being. Sends 19th volume of annals of observatory and AQ's work on international congress on statistics.