Acknowledges JH's comparison of Barclay Observatory results with those of other observatories. Sends more observations.
Sends CD information on two points which St George Mivart has asked him to provide, respecting the platysma myoides muscle. It is always in a state of violent contraction when a person is struggling for breath. In persons to whom chloroform is about to be administered, there is contraction but not so marked. No doubt contraction was strong before use of chloroform in operations.
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Thinks well of Claparède’s criticism; worth publishing as an answer to Wallace. Bates thinks Wallace’s heterodox views have done mischief to the cause of evolution. Wallace thinks Claparède’s article very weak, CD concludes, because Claparède has arrived at an unpleasant judgment very much like Lyell’s about Bentham’s address.
CD would wager Lyell lately has said something about European Proteaceae.
Does not remember anyone before Wallace on Sumatra and Java.
CD does not think he has a chance against Brandt in French Academy election.
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Sends seeds from R. L. Playfair in Algiers.
F. Delpino writes asking where M. A. Curtis has published physiological observations on Dionaea ["Enumeration of plants growing spontaneously around Wilmington, North Carolina", Boston J. Nat. Hist. 1 (1834–7): 82–140; see Insectivorous plants, p. 301 n.].
Talk with Duke of Argyll on CD’s and Wallace’s views on man.
Hooker recalls his recent conversation with the Duke of Argyll about ARW's theory of the evolution of man.
Thanks for many works, especially double star catalogs, about which JH requests further information, and which will help JH's attempt to compile digest of all measures of all known double stars.
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Has not heard of Curtis on Dionaea.
Duke of Argyll is clever, but it is a sin to speak of a real old Duke as a "little beggar".
"My theology is a simple muddle: I cannot look at the Universe as the result of blind chance, yet I can see no evidence of beneficent Design."
On spontaneous generation and Bastian.
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Would like to incorporate JH's suggestions in his paper and he has revised the numbers. Made an attempt to photograph the moon while totally eclipsed, but was unsuccessful.
Comments on sunspot activity; agrees to inclusion of some paragraphs in a paper WD is writing.
Sends a letter by Mr Teebay on variation in wild ducks.
Offers to lend Dr Cooper’s book on game fowls.
Is preparing a new edition [1873] of his Poultry book.
No summary available.
Asks AG to identify the species of Triton Mr Ford has drawn.
AG’s help has turned CD’s chapter on fishes and reptiles from "much the worst" into "one of the best" [in Descent].