Asks for a testimonial for Edward Newman.
Discusses the Origin, considers natural selection works well when applied to the evolution of nations and groups of men; on the other hand feels the classification of mineral elements is a damaging analogy as it parallels organic classification but could not be derived by any evolutionary means.
Thanks CD for his letter about GM’s review of the Origin.
Sends instances of correlative organisation and functions which he finds difficult to believe could have accumulated by gradual modifications.
[Letter erroneously dated 1862 by GM.]
Discusses cases of assumed correlation, e.g., facial hair and generative organs, sexual characters in castrated oxen. Finds it difficult to see how correlation of functions which would be useless separately can be accumulated gradually through natural selection.
Thanks CD for sending Orchids.
Reports observations by his uncle relating to the successful breeding of a male mule with a horse.
Discusses the structure and particular uniformities of the Shropshire coal-seams and surrounding strata; speculates on their origins.
Discusses the deposition of coal and considers the possibility of coal aggregating into seams after deposition.
Has obtained fossils from Gibraltar that he believes are human. Requests Lyell’s address so that he can send the bones.
Reports a monstrous pig that looks like an elephant. It was born of a pregnant sow which had been frightened by a circus elephant. He offers the monster, which died at birth, to any London museum.
In response to CD’s request for bud-sports, he sends a piece of a fern-leaved beech.
Planning to visit Gibraltar and Morocco. Is there anything he can do for CD?
In Gibraltar he will make notes on merino lambs and Drosophyllum as CD requests.
He has found abundant Drosophyllum in Andalusia.
He is managing to salvage a few Andalusian Drosophyllum plants from the voyage and will send some to CD.
He has observed several instances of animals’ tails lying to the left in rigor mortis. Is this a general rule?