Sends about 15 sheets on instinct from his book [A philosophical treatise on the nature and constitution of man (1876)] for CD’s comments.
Sends about 15 sheets on instinct from his book [A philosophical treatise on the nature and constitution of man (1876)] for CD’s comments.
Asks CD if he can reconcile a passage in Mark Hopkins’ Outline study of man [1873] with the theory of development.
Prefaces Fritz Müller’s observations on termites and stingless bees [see 9281].
Birthday greetings.
No summary available.
Asks AG to sign an enclosure [see 9291].
Has read GH’s proofs and, although not entirely in agreement, has no criticisms worth sending.
On the decline of population of the Hawaiian Islands, before advent of Europeans; infanticide, polyandry.
Thanks for birthday greetings.
Comments on work at Naples Zoological Station. F. M. Balfour to visit Naples. Would like to send third son [Francis Darwin] to learn art of observing marine animals.
Health indifferent.
Has sent FM’s letter on termites to Nature ["Habits of various insects", Nature 10 (1874): 102–3].
Would be interested in observations on the stingless bees of Brazil.
On the declining population of the Hawaiian Islands [see Descent (1875), pp. 186–7, 187–8 n. 43].
Signs Robert Swinhoe’s certificate [for the Royal Society] with pleasure.
No summary available.
Statistics showing rate of decline of population in Sandwich Islands, 1832–72.
Feels CD’s and Fritz Müller’s judgments on his "Anwendung" essay [see 8313] are of highest value. Mentions some of FM’s comments.
Looks forward to second English edition of Descent.
Inherited dental abnormalities in man. [Enclosed are proofs of pp. 113–16 from J. Tomes, A system of dental surgery, 2d ed. (1873).]
Offers information on pea-fowl for new edition of Variation.
Sends his observations on the fertilisation of Hedychium gardnerianum by sphinx moths. Did not look for pollen on the wing tips.
Returns proofs; has no criticisms or remarks worth sending.
On the "doubtful & obscure" subject of marriage of cousins, CD believes, that judging from the analogy of animals, no direct evil would follow from their marriage. He would, however, expect the offspring of unrelated parents to be somewhat superior in size and vigour. The injury from the increase of any bad tendency common to the family seems to CD more to be feared than mere consanguinity; "the good effects of crossing distinct families I look at as great & undoubted".