Gives consent, which is unnecessary because term of protection has expired, for French translation of Journal of researches.
Is at a loss to know how many copies of F. Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin to print.
The printer is ready for copy for a new "edition" of Variation. [Presumably another issue. 2d edition did not appear until 1875.]
Received and read ACR’s Physical geology. Places him at head of the subaeria denudationists. Unfortunately CD confounded William Whitaker’s article with ACR’s views and gave Whitaker credit for first producing the evidence. Will rectify it now. Has eliminated the rubbish he wrote on the Weald and will add a paragraph on importance of subaerial denudation.
Argues for great age of earth before the Cambrian period. Opposes measuring age from secular cooling. Opposes Sir William Thomson. Lyell’s error on secular cooling.
Thanks for Moseley citation ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].
In Edinburgh he feels out of touch with latest developments.
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.
Believes that species or genus may have originated more than once from separate ancestors, i.e., polyphyletically.
Discusses relation of CD’s theory to religion. Has written popular account of CD’s theory in Dutch [Darwin en de Godsdienst (1869)].
Has today sent by book post the manuscript of Mrs. Mary Somerville's autobiography, which JH is to report on. Understands that Mrs. Somerville is amenable to good advice.
No summary available.
Repeats request for information on colours of plumage of poultry breeds and asks for WBT’s facts on proportions of sexes.
Pleased by CD’s good opinion and offer to provide material. Discusses work he would do on cirripedes.
Moritz Wagner’s views on migration of species;
his doubts about Fritz Müller’s views on developmental stages of Crustacea.
Consoling to CD that JC gives "a little more age to the world".
Cites article by Henry Moseley ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].
Mentions article by A. R. Clarke on shape of the globe.
John Lubbock regrets GHD did not take the Eton post. JL thinks scientific masters will soon occupy places as high and as profitable as classical masters.
Has inquired about magnetic storms. Any effect that could be produced by the sun’s energy in retarding the cooling of the earth would be utterly insignificant.
Tells of his visit to Eton.
Is uncertain about next steps to take for a legal career.
No summary available.
Asks for DF’s observations on the Aymara Indians for use in writing manuscript [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 34–5].
No summary available.
No summary available.
Sends Mary Somerville's autobiography; visited her in Naples. JP will return to England in the summer.
Receives Mary Somerville's autobiography; explains poor health will prohibit him from detailed scrutiny of the writing.
No summary available.
Down School funds.