Ask some questions on pigeons.
Remarks on the discussion of bees’ cells at the Leeds BAAS meeting. CD fancies he has the true theory with regard to their construction.
Comments on TCE’s skeletons.
Must get advice from Hugh Falconer on names of some bones.
Preparing his abstract [Origin].
Asks about colours of horses and stripes on asses.
Asks whether there are dogs in Spain like English pointers.
Sends more bean seeds.
Sends £20. Family news.
Answers WED’s questions about CD’s Journal of researches: Galapagos "productions" all came from America, but "they have since been modified by my principle of Natural Selection".
Abstract growing to inordinate length.
Writing in support of S. Passell as assistant at Linnean Society.
Asks about dirt clinging to feet of birds as means of seed distribution.
Answers CD’s queries about seed lot he has just sent.
Darwin tells Hooker he has sent ARW 8 copies of the offprints of Darwin & Wallace (1858).
Abstract will run into a small volume.
Urges JDH not to reject natural selection until he has read abstract.
[Enclosed are CD’s comments on a ?JDH manuscript that perhaps belong elsewhere.]
Asks about Indian horses. Encloses questions.
At Hooker’s request, sends his copy of Gärtner [Bastarderzeugung (1849)], "shamefully scribbled over".
Writes to WED about his living arrangements at Christ’s College; reminisces about his own Cambridge days.
Cannot come to London until Tuesday. Arriving about 11: 15.
Has examined feet of many partridges, but has not been able to obtain any quantity of mud from them.
Has read WBT’s interesting communication on bees’ cells [Athenæum 16 Oct 1858]. Would like to see his excavated cells.
Further answers on his seed lot.
Fertilisation of papilionaceous flowers [Collected papers 2: 19–25].
JDH’s reactions to CD’s theory.
Discussed human fossil evidence with Hugh Falconer.
Asks about Kattywar (Kathiawari) horses in India.
Information about about Kattywar (Kathiawari) horses in India.