Tells MH about the wedding plans of son John and Mary Power; comments on the health of daughter Constance, and sends a silly sketch by Emma Hardcastle. [Part of the letter is illegible.]
Thanks WS for describing Aristotle's and Richard Whately's observation of the great sensitivity of the eye's lateral portion. Congratulates WS on becoming Dean of Norwich. Draft discusses miracles and lists possible arguments against WS's idea that miracles are not a violation of nature
Asks CD questions relating to the revised translation of Origin.
Seeks explanation of the case of the Rhynchaea, of which the female is more beautiful than the male, with the young resembling the latter. Wallace has told CD that at Nottingham AN explained this by the male being the incubator.
Does the male black Australian swan, or the black and white S. American swan, differ from the female in colour of plumage?
No summary available.
No summary available.
His view of CD’s hypothesis that Atlantic island genera are descended from extinct European plants.
Sorry he cannot remember where S. Filippe [San Felipe?] is.
Doubts that bones of ox, sheep, and horse could have been deposited in guano [on coast of Chile], but they would be worth examination.
[Tipped in copy of Origin (1866) with CHM’s bookplate.]
On recent instalment of "Insular floras" in Gardeners’ Chronicle [(1867): 50]. Approves of JDH’s abstract of argument for transport of species [i.e., migration, as opposed to continental extension hypothesis].
Suggests that, in some birds, plumage of males is less colourful than that of females; the reason is that the males perform the duties of incubation [see Descent 2: 204 n.].
Answers JVC’s questions about the rock-thrush, the tortoise-shell cat, and the logger-headed duck.
No summary available.
Position as Curator allows no time for experiment.
Describes plans for vast new layout of Calcutta Botanic Garden according to natural orders.
Himalayan and Scottish plants are doing well.
Hopes to experiment on temperate plants in tropics, to test CD’s views of migration during glacial periods.
Sends observations on acclimatisation of English cultivated plants.
Leersia CD sent are growing and fertile.
Would like Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel’s photograph, but JDH should give CD’s address to FAWM.
Thanks for letter and glad Frances Harriet Hooker goes on well.
Do not send St Helena earth.
Thanks for the information about the male plumage. [See 5374.] Will look to the papers in Ibis to which AN has referred him. He finds AN’s theory captivating.
Describes progress in preparation of third German edition of the Origin. Asks about use of photograph for edition.
Dr. [Edward] Goulburn, not WS, is Dean of Norwich. Is trying to refute the position of David Hume that miracles are violations of nature.
No summary available.
Two queries on teeth: 1. Is there evidence of inherited peculiarities in milk teeth?
2. Are male incisors longer than female?
Has arranged for JH to receive a couple of plants of Fitzroya Patagonia. Hopes that the inclement weather has caused no distress.