Thanks for copy of Expression. Notes on expression among the Széklers.
Sends a copy of his book of travels in Scotland.
Thanks for copy of Expression. Notes on expression among the Széklers.
Sends a copy of his book of travels in Scotland.
Reports the case of an idiot in his care who apparently chews his cud.
Has studied CD’s books and accepts evolution without giving up belief in creation of first forms.
On theory in Descent, suggests offspring of the original [human] progenitor dispersed before a human stage arrived at; this would account for races and languages with no discernible common origin.
Comments on FG’s article ["Hereditary improvement", Fraser’s Mag. 87 (1873): 116–30]. Finds it "the sole feasible, yet I fear utopian, plan of procedure in improving the human race".
Thanks for rabbits for Balfour.
Mentions reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas [of life (1872)].
Asks whether his observations on absorptive powers of glandular hairs of plants are new facts.
Asks for a Drosophyllum.
Comments on Francis Galton’s article in Fraser’s Magazine,
Greg’s Enigmas,
and Alphonse de Candolle’s Histoire des sciences.
"If you will apply to any bookseller whatever you will procure a copy.–– Publisher Murray."
No summary available.
Fascinated by Greg’s Enigmas, though its matter is weak.
Is vexed at being drawn into hostility toward British Museum through William Carruthers’ insolence and presumption.
Recounts visit with Edward Cardwell [Secretary for War].
Has sent Candolle’s book to Gladstone.
JDH indignant at Gladstone’s speech putting English science below French and German.
Thinks it is an accepted dogma that glandular hairs are excreting only. Will ask others to confirm.
Has received, through AG, a letter on Dionaea [from W. M. Canby] which has greatly interested him. CD asks AG to question his correspondent on whether it catches large or small insects.
Mary Treat will observe Drosera filiformis.
Explains why he wants Drosophyllum.
Hopes JDH will be elected President of Royal Society.
Agrees with JDH on Greg’s Enigmas.
Would like Greg to visit Down if JDH comes as CD’s "protector".
Has pleasure in signing the [missing] enclosure, with every word of which he fully agrees.
Thanks MDC for letter on expression [see 8694].
Invites him to Down on 24th. CD warns that his health does not permit him to talk long with anyone.
Discusses two factors possibly causing modification of body or mind of an organism; habit and direct action of external conditions on the one hand, and selection, natural or artificial, on the other; considers their relative importance.
Drosophyllum is coming from Dublin. Will ship it to Down when it arrives.
The awful honour of Presidency of Royal Society; his aversion to dignities and honours.
R. Strachey [Proc. R. Geogr. Soc. (1873): 450] has paid him and CD a compliment.
Letter from Gladstone.
Had thrown Geographical Society’s Proceedings in waste-basket, but as Strachey shows such admirable powers of discrimination he will fish it out and read the whole article.
Comments on 3d ed. of Sachs’s work [Lehrbuch der Botanik (1873)]. Wishes he were more controversial.
Has become wonderfully interested in Drosera and Dionaea.
9000 copies of Expression have been printed and most are sold.
No summary available.
No summary available.
The Drosophyllum goes to Orpington by train this evening.
No summary available.
Response to ARW’s criticisms in his review [of Expression, Q. J. Sci. n.s. 3 (1873): 113–18].