JDH’s letter to Wallace perfect. CD’s feelings about priority. Without Lyell’s and JDH’s intervention CD would have given up all claims to Wallace. Now planning 30-page abstract for a journal.
Observations on floral structure
and slave-making ants.
Sends proofs [of "On the tendency of species to form varieties … ", read 1 July 1858, Collected papers 2: 3–19]. CD could publish his abstract [later the Origin] as a separate supplemental number of [Journal of the Linnean Society].
JDH has studied in detail CD’s manuscript on variable species in large and small genera and concurs with its consequences. Discusses methodological idiosyncrasies of systematists, e.g., Bentham, Robert Brown, and C. C. Babington, which complicate CD’s tabulations.
Discusses the absence of a native bee in New Zealand and the insects which probably performed its fertilising function [see "Agency of bees in fertilization", Collected papers 2: 21]. Describes the success of the naturalised hive-bee and also the rapid spread of introduced members of the Fabaceae.
No summary available.
Has he read John Tyndall's paper on the plasticity of ice and the theory of glaciers? Indebted to Michael Faraday for some excellent observations and the term 'Regulation.'
Regards from Isle of Wight.
Thanks for abstract of Etna paper [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 148 (1858): 703–86]. Never expected to see Élie de Beaumont’s theory ["craters of elevation"] so completely upset. "He must have picked out favourable cases for measurement."
More than satisfied by what was done at Linnean Society [joint reading of CD’s and Wallace’s papers: "Tendency of species to form varieties", Collected papers 2: 3–19]. Intends to prepare longer abstract.
Comments on JF's article about glaciers and particularly on the solid, liquid, and other states of matter.
Generally approves of Edward Sabine's plan concerning magnetic observatories.
Received JH's letter of 17 July. Sent woodcut to W. S. Smyth as requested.
Forwards magnetic materials written by George Peacock. Hopes to meet with JH.
After all, CD is now beginning to prepare an abstract of his species theory. Recounts the events leading to joint paper with A. R. Wallace at Linnean Society. Lyell and Hooker urge strongly that he publish a fuller abstract. It is impossible to do justice to subject in an abstract.
His sister, Marianne Parker, has died.
Correcting proof for CD–Wallace paper. Has begun abstract.
Large and small genera.
No summary available.
Confer with William Whewell on magnetic observations, then notify GP. Health is improving. Cambridge residents are angry over proposed changes but ignore similar changes at Oxford.
Forwards latest computations of lunar diurnal variation in horizontal force of terrestrial magnetism at Cape of Good Hope. Describes method used by Archibald Smith to distinguish lunar from terrestrial magnetism.
Six children have died of scarlet fever in Down village.
Writing abstract is amusing and improving work. Thanks JDH and Lyell for setting him to it.
Thanks WJH for an extract on seed transport by sea. [Letter sent with 2314.]
No summary available.
Heard from Louisa [JH's daughter] that JH was interested to hear about the [Leeds] Literary and Philosophical Society. Gives details and recent lectures. Would be pleased for JH to give a lecture.