Comments on a discussion of humming-birds by the Duke of Argyll [in The reign of law (1867)].
Encloses article by Henry Parker on the Duke’s book [Saturday Rev. 23 (1867): 82–4].
Asks DO to identify a plant grown from earth adhering to the foot of a woodcock.
Sends a sheet of proofs. Will hold four others until he hears from VOK, because of expensive postage. Thinks illustrating Russian translation [of Variation] with woodcuts from A. E. Brehm’s work [Illustrirtes Thierleben, 4 vols. (1864–7)] is an excellent idea.
Asks her to observe whether her dog exposes his teeth when barking and to think of any facts about expression in her birds.
Discusses hybridisation in cowslip and primrose.
Mentions proposed visit.
No summary available.
Discusses the Duke of Argyll’s book [Reign of law (1867)].
Cites his own views on diversity of structure and beauty.
Encloses letter from Wallace. Sexual selection: evidence advanced by Wallace.
Discusses correlation of growth.
Comments on article in the North British Review [by Fleeming Jenkin].
Discusses the evidence from physics on the age of the earth.
[Four pages of the final letter are missing, but the draft is complete.]
Asks THH to think about a better name for "Pangenesis"; suggests "Cytarrogenesis" or "Atomogenesis", but still prefers vaguer "Pangenesis".
CD probably advised omitting mention of experiments suggesting that oxlips, cowslips, and primroses could be produced from the seed of a single plant
Leaves for London tomorrow. Hopes to see JDH there or perhaps at Kew, but doubts the latter. He is not strong and has a good deal to do.
CD is relieved that JWS’s circumstances have improved. He is pleased to accept Supplement to English Botany. He will try to attend Geological Society meeting.
Disappointed at not seeing JDH in London.
No summary available.
Thanks VOK for the present of A. E. Brehm’s Illustrirtes Thierleben [1864–7].
The woodcuts will do admirably [for Variation].
CD now acknowledges that the sometimes very great sexual, i.e., ornamental, differences in fishes offer a difficulty to the view that females are not brightly coloured on account of the danger to propagation of the species.