Further discussion of ARW’s help on new [2d] edition of Descent.
Further discussion of ARW’s help on new [2d] edition of Descent.
Glad to hear that ARW is so busy.
CD believes that he has thrown some light on the acquirement of the power of digestion in Droseraceae [in Insectivorous plants].
E. R. Lankester has been unfairly blackballed at the Linnean Society. He is to be proposed for a second time, with CD seconding the proposal. Urges ARW to attend the ballot.
Is glad ARW will attend to vote for Lankester [at the Linnean Society].
Response to ARW’s "grand and memorable work" [Geographical distribution (1876)]. Most interesting part to CD is ARW’s "protest against sinking imaginary continents".
Further detailed comments on Geographical distribution.
Base treatment [of George Darwin] by Mivart in Quarterly Review [137 (1874): 40–77].
Has finished Geographical distribution; sends his comments.
Response to Wallace’s article ["The colours of animals and plants", Macmillan’s Mag. (Sept 1877)] on sexual colours and "voluntary" sexual selection.
Further discussion of evidence for sexual selection. Prefers "conscious" to "voluntary" action. Distinguishes features that serve as charms and those that serve as challenges.
Supports Epping Forest appointment.
Continues work on vegetable physiology.
Admiration of ARW’s ["The origin of species and genera", Nineteenth Century (Jan 1880)]. Good use of Allen’s "admirable researches".
Disappointment about the Epping Forest appointment.
Farrer’s article in Fortnightly Review.
High praise for Island life; ARW’s "best book". Encloses notes of comments and criticism. Hooker pleased by dedication.
On land migration of plants. The case in Nature is striking but CD doubts that seeds of plants could be blown from mountains of Abyssinia to mountains of Madagascar.
Informs ARW of favourable reception by Gladstone of memorial respecting ARW’s services to science, and the establishment of a pension for him.
On the proprieties of thanking Gladstone and the signers of the memorial.
Will order Progress and poverty. Comments on ARW’s political interests and his own absorption in W. Graham’s The creed of science.
His sojourn at Ullswater: "life has become very wearisome to me".
At Mrs Lyell’s request, passes on a spare copy of K. M. Lyell ed. 1881.