Sends proofs of his fish paper.
Will observe modification of colour in fish.
Is studying the development of the axolotl.
Encloses notes in reply to CD’s queries on fishes.
No summary available.
Pairing habits of birds: polygamy among ducks and canaries.
Information on the proportion of sexes in fowls and other birds.
Sees what a majority William Ewart's bill had yesterday. Comments on the events leading to this. So glad of the marriage of Amelia Herschel.
Asks CD’s permission to translate Variation into Italian [translation not published until 1876].
WDF’s letter gives CD the kind of facts he wants. His story about peacocks is so good that CD will quote it [Descent 2: 46].
Pleased WDF approves of his book [Variation]
– "beloved Pangenesis disagrees badly with many".
No summary available.
Thanks for answer to questions.
Has analogous questions on reptiles that he will send to AG. The subject interests him, but CD must try not to fall into his common error of "being too speculative".
On false claims that female cattle can be produced at will.
No summary available.
Has often thought CD would find vast material for his ideas in study of entomology and Lepidoptera. His price-list of specimens proves only that collectors of Lepidoptera catch more males than females, not that there are more. He accounts for this by the less active habits of the females. [See Descent 1: 312.]
Asks function of several twisted parts (stem, petals, germen) in hardy orchids. His reading of Orchids makes him suspect that the parts are connected with fertilisation.
Raises a question about a statement in Orchids; his observations differ.
Questions on marmosets and the vocal organs of Hylobates.
CD cannot remember whether correspondent believed the wing that Gallus bankiva opens and scrapes before the female, is ornamented. He fears it is not.
Replies to CD’s queries regarding sexual differences in gibbons’ voices, chameleon behaviour, and the occurrence of spurs in pheasants and peahens. Discusses sexual differences in structure and habit within certain bird species.
Is confirmed about the bending of the fly orchid pollinia. [See "Fertilisation of orchids", Collected papers 2: 141.]
Has passed on copy of Variation to American Academy [of Arts and Sciences]. The U. S. reprint is not very nicely printed.
Sends graft-hybrid notice.
No summary available.