Concerning German translation of Variation. Fears chapter 27 Pangenesis is very wild, but believes physiologists will some day be compelled to admit some such doctrine.
Asks CD for exact title of Variation for German advertisement.
Sends corrected title of Variation and report of progress in printing.
Is not writing prospectus [of Variation] – merely sketch of contents and tenor of first volume for advertisement to booksellers.
Questions on details for the translation.
Publisher anxious to get volume out.
Sends revision of vol. 1 [of Variation]. Advance sale at auction sold 1200 copies, to CD’s great surprise. Publication delayed by index.
Sends errata for German edition of Variation.
Queries concerned with translating vol. 2 of Variation.
Questions arising in German translation of Variation; its sales prospects. CD from the first has said it was very doubtful that the book was worth translating.
Sends sheets of second issue [of Variation] with errata and changes to be made.
Refers to a favourable review,
and a contemptuous one in Athenæum written, he thinks, by Richard Owen [see 5931].
Some questions on errata in second English issue of Variation.
Sends a paper by Robert Hartmann on domestic animals of the countries bordering the Nile ["Geographische Verbreitung der im nordöstlichen Afrika wild lebenden Säugethiere" Z. Ges. Erdkd. Berlin 3 (1868): 28–69, 232–70, 345–68, 404–20].
Has thought much about CD’s theory of Pangenesis. It "seems rather a little too complicated … as a molecular theory".
Corrections for German translation of Variation.
Discusses Pangenesis. CD not surprised at JVC’s unfavourable opinion. Huxley’s joke that it is more difficult to believe than Genesis. Lyell’s and Sir H. Holland’s opinions. For CD, it provides a bond for connecting many phenomena.
Asks whether it would be convenient if he came to Down. JVC would be sorry to leave England without seeing and thanking CD.
Regrets having missed JVC’s visit. CD’s health is poor. He hopes JVC will come to Down after BAAS meeting.
Has heard second part [of Variation] is out in German. Thanks JVC for his great care in making translation accurate.
Asks JVC to ascertain the age at which merino rams develop horns, and whether they grow faster or more slowly than in other breeds of sheep in which both sexes have horns.
Asks how JVC’s translation [of Variation] has sold.
On development of horns in merino sheep. Encloses reports from herdsmen he has approached.
Sends translation of Mr Steiger’s letter responding to question CD had asked about growth of horns of merino rams.
Thanks JVC for his information (from two correspondents) on the rate of growth of merino rams’ horns.
CD has been revising Origin [5th ed.]. Has found a good deal to alter.
A new edition [4th German] of Origin to be published by Schweizerbart. JVC asks CD to send any changes or additions.
Variation has sold two-thirds of the first printing [1868].
Hopes he may do translation of CD’s new work [Descent].
Discusses changes in 5th edition of Origin owing to new evidence. CD now places more value on action of external conditions; thinks lapse of time [required for development of species] not so great as some geologists have thought, and single variations [saltations] of even less importance compared with individual differences.
Will use new English edition [5th, of Origin] in preparing for [4th] German edition. Bronn’s translation of Origin in the title as "Entstehung" is not so precise as "Ursprung" would be. The publisher does not object to changing the title, but JVC is doubtful, because the Origin is so well known in Germany as Entstehung. Asks CD’s opinion.