Corrects a misprint in his letter [1783].
Adds that his experiments show that one cannot infer from the vitality of seeds under dry conditions that they will be preserved in different conditions. Cites the poor ability of Leguminosae to withstand immersion.
Requests skins of domestic breeds or races of poultry, pigeons, rabbits, cats, and dogs from any unfrequented region. [Attached is a list of people to whom CD has written for pigeon and poultry skins.]
Darwin requests skins of various animals from any region that has not been visited frequently.
Raises queries resulting from their meeting. "All fish come to my net in regard to variation."
Is acquiring pigeons and poultry and would be particularly grateful for any of the rarer breeds that WBT could supply.
Now has several pigeons, and intends to get pigeons from all parts of the world.
Glad TCE is working at dogs. Would TCE like head of Chinese dog?
Variation in cats.
Is comparing skeletons of poultry.
Discusses distribution of shells.
"Dr Gully did me much good." Hopes WHB profited by water cure.
Concerning specimens he wants collected in the Azores.
Vexed he cannot find head of [Chinese] dog.
First took up skeletonising to see how much young pigeons and poultry differed from the old.
Wishes to ascertain differences in skeletons of pigeons, poultry, covey birds, and rabbits. William Yarrell has shown CD breastbones. W. B. Tegetmeier has shown him skulls of fowls.
Burying charlock seeds.
Is collecting facts for Variation; would be grateful for skins of local [Cape of Good Hope] breeds of pigeons, ducks, and poultry.
Mentions seeing GHKT at BAAS meeting at Oxford [1847].
Reports he is working on variation of species. Asks about varieties of pigeons and other poultry, and asks for specimens from Ceylon.
Sends blood of pigeons for examination. Discusses variation of blood in related animals.
Would like copy of book edited by GG [The works of W. Hewson (1846)].
Suggests investigation of blood in varieties of domesticated animals.
Has received the seeds safely.
CD has "for many years been working on the perplexed subject of the origin of varieties & species".
Asks CAM if he can help procure skins of domestic pigeons, poultry, ducks, and rabbits from Persia. Gives general instructions for anyone he might employ to obtain skins.
CD would also welcome descriptions of the larger, native quadrupeds.
Has followed correspondent’s useful suggestions of sources of information [on variation in domesticated animals in various regions of the globe].
Asks him to sound out [Mr Consul Brand?] about skinning some bird specimens for him.
Sends a book on clubs, which has raised some worrisome questions about the [Down Friendly] Club. Asks JSH’s advice.
His thanks for the present [The works of William Hewson, edited by GG, 1846]. [See 1796.]
Cites [from Gärtner’s Bastarderzeugung (1849), p. 157] a report that seeds from graves of ancient Gauls germinated.
CD requests accurate information on the extent to which the different varieties of fruit-trees produce seedlings like their parents. Do some varieties of pears and apples tend to produce truer offspring than other varieties?