No summary available.
Comments on review of Origin by Andrew Murray [Proc. R. Soc. Edinburgh 4 (1860): 274–91] and views of William Hopkins on Origin ["Physical theories and the phenomena of life" Fraser’s Mag. 61 (1860): 739–52; 62 (1860): 74–90]. The attacks will tell heavily.
Mentions Blyth’s failure to receive appointment as naturalist to China expedition of 1860.
Encloses letter from Asa Gray.
Discusses gestation period in domesticated dogs.
Comments on hybrid fertility.
Thanks for invitation [to stay with GR at Oxford], but his poor state of health requires him to stay in private lodgings.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Discusses payment of student fees for Cambridge lectures and says JSH’s fees are too low. Thanks JSH for allowing Bond’s daughter to attend his lectures.
Wants to hear from readers about the way in which the bee-orchid (Ophrys apifera) is fertilised. He has always found it to be self-fertilised but greatly doubts that the flowers of any plant are fertilised for generations by their own pollen. The bee-orchid has sticky glands, which would make it adapted for fertilisation by insects; this makes him want to hear what happens to its pollen-masses in places he has not observed.
No summary available.
No summary available.
CD’s response to criticism of natural selection. Exasperated at not being understood. He tries to narrow the gap between himself and JDH.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Discusses measurements of bees’ cells.
Discusses measurements of bees’ cells. Describes modification in structure of Melipona hive. Notes importance of natural selection.
Regrets to hear that he proposes to retire from the captaincy of the Hawkhurst Company of the Rifle Volunteers.
No summary available.
Mentions Etty’s illness.
A "coarsely contemptuous" review of Origin by Samuel Haughton ["On the form of the cells made by various wasps and by the honey bee; with an appendix on the origin of species", Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc. Dublin 3 (1860): 128–40].
Comments on reception of Malthus’ ideas.
Says William Hopkins does not understand him.
Discusses problem of term "natural selection".
J. A. Lowell’s review of Origin [Christian Examiner (1860): 449–64].
Relationship between instinct and structure.
Discusses blindness of cave animals.
The fallacy of Andrew Murray and others; the slight importance of climate.
CD’s plans are uncertain because of his daughter’s [Henrietta Darwin] fever.
If GR would kindly reserve rooms for CD near college, CD will write before the meeting [of British Association at Oxford] if he is prevented from coming.
Mostly taken up with JH advising AH about changing his course of studies at Cambridge, together with some family news from home.