C. V. Riley’s case of Pronuba moth and the fertilisation of Yucca, is the most wonderful case of fertilisation ever published [Am. Nat. 7 (1873): 619–23].
Circular requesting recipients to sign an enclosed [missing] statement [relating to appeal for Naples Zoological Station] if they approve of it.
Discusses illustrations for 2d edition of Descent.
"My nephew [Henry Parker] got into the Athenaeum with splendid success."
No summary available.
Encloses a statement and circular he has been asked to send to JL.
No summary available.
Has just read Journal of researches and has been charmed out of his anti-Darwinian prejudice.
Observations on Coronilla.
Supplies evidence to the contrary of CD’s assertion in Expression that dogs do not eat carrion.
Offers to send mud-wasps.
Is glad to have Descent cheaper and sold more largely, but would be sorry to see it printed like the Origin. "The closeness of the lines is the great fault." Fears book might be very thick. "I hear scores of people complaining of the heavy and thick books which you publish."
Delighted to hear about Coronilla. Urges publication ["Fertilisation of papilionaceous flowers– Coronilla", Nature 10 (1874): 169–70].
Thanks EM for essay ["Sopra un rara anomalia dell’osso malare", Annu. Soc. Nat. Modena 7 (1873): 1–50]. CD agrees as far as he understands. Cannot see how new modifications could arise by atavism. "The more I study nature, the more I feel convinced that species generally change by extremely slight modifications."
JDH informs Brian Hodgson that Lord Carnarvon [the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert] has offered him a knighthood; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, in recognition of his service to the Colonies. JDH has not sought a knighthood & previously rejected one when offered. This particular honour, as it relates to his colonial work in the name of his Father [William Jackson Hooker] & the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, would be highly prized by JDH. He accepted K.C.M.G. once before only to be later refused the honour by Government, it is now a different Government so Hooker will take no malicious pleasure in refusing the honour this time. Nevertheless JDH will refuse the K.C.M.G. as it is a lesser honour than has been awarded to past Presidents of the Royal Society who were made members of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Finding that the leaves of Drosera digest all the phosphate of lime out of bones and then remain clasped over the bones for a long time, CD wants to determine whether it is the phosphate of lime or the animal matter in the bones that keeps them clasped. He asks EF to send 2 or 3 grams of pure phosphate of lime for his testing. [See 9411.] Will experiment in the summer using EF’s suggestion that leaves might serve to test weak sewage. Results of Sanderson’s experiments with acids of great use.
Discusses 2d edition of Descent. CD is inclined to a cheap edition and asks JM to consider a one-volume edition in double-column format.
On supernumerary mammae in a male patient.
Thanks an unknown correspondent for the 4th edition of his 'remarkable work'.
On proportion of sexes in litters of greyhounds.
WW’s information accords with other accounts lately received. CD had formed an erroneous opinion on the subject.
Asks correspondent to obtain odd numbers of Flora.