Wants references to the work of Julius von Haast and James Hector on New Zealand glaciers, which CD mentions in the Origin [6th ed., p. 335].
Suggests BJS write to Louis Agassiz about his [fossil mammal?] specimens but doubts that he will have time to do the work. Regrets they were ignored at the Royal College of Surgeons; thinks Owen neglected many things because he was overworked.
Gives lengthy details from his medical experience on how structural and other changes in the parts of the eye are related to lacrimation.
Mentions belief in CD’s views.
Discusses role of orbicular muscle and distended veins in eye in secretion of tears. Asks WB’s opinion.
Heartily glad about Willy.
Has never had Zizania.
Still has Leersia. He cannot make the beast produce.
What slow coaches the Ministers are about the Ayrton affair.
No summary available.
Discusses the roles of natural and sexual selection in producing mimicry, and the problem of explaining the cause of the first mimetic variation; considers the ideas of A. R. Wallace and Fritz Müller on this problem.
Reminisces on the evening he, B. J. Sulivan, and J. C. Wickham from the Beagle spent with CD, nearly ten years ago.
Hopes the mission at Tierra del Fuego will not "improve" the people to extinction.
Gives information on recent editions of Lyell’s works.
CD sends some sheets [of 6th ed. of Origin]. Informs JVC that he is having it stereotyped, so he can never again make any serious alterations. "The little strength left to me shall be employed on new works."
Invites RM to keep some specimens as long as he wishes.
Recalls vaguely the mention of a butterfly species in which the male alone is mimetic.
Has corrected last page of index of Origin [6th ed.]. Sends instructions.
Calls CD’s attention to Andrew Jackson Davis’ work on the origin of man,
philosophy of evil,
the mode of producing rain at pleasure,
and who and what is God.
Requests that JM make stereotype plates of 6th edition of Origin available to D. Appleton. This will be last edition and CD is "extremely anxious" to spread his views.
Expands on a letter to Nature concerning the probability of the survival of a new variety in a given species. Differs with [F. Jenkin’s] argument, to which CD had agreed to a greater extent than JB feels it deserved.
Asks to have one pair of rabbits sent to him; is abandoning experiments with the rats.
Encloses a letter to be prefixed to JJM’s translation of the Origin.
Expresses his satisfaction that JJM has undertaken the translation [of a fourth French edition] of Origin. Urges the use of the sixth English edition so as to include corrections and additions.
His interest in influencing the eminent men of science in France.
Observations on earthworm activity in old furrows on a hillside.
Notes the occurrence in U. S. of "vermiform piles" produced by earthworms.
Exchange of photographs among CD, AM, and Philip G. King.