Wishes to bring CD his trained cockatoo.
Wishes to bring CD his trained cockatoo.
"Charles Darwin Down, Kent April 2d. 1877; With Mr Darwin’s compliments. – "
Is pleased that CD agrees with HM’s suggestions and criticisms of CD’s work. Will undertake experiments with Viola tricolor seeds to see if they produce both large- and small-flowered plants.
Reports on upward projection of Pulmonaria flowers.
Arrangements about a purchase of land.
Notes on competition among tree species in South Wales.
In the name of a student science club, asks whether CD’s theory of evolution applies to mental as well as physical characteristics of men and animals. Asks whether animals have free-will like humans. Do animals have a sense that humans lack?
Sends MS [of Forms of flowers]. Since sale is likely to be small, Murray may not want to publish it on usual terms. CD thinks it may be his last book and asks Murray to publish it on most favourable terms he can afford.
JM will be pleased to publish the new work [Forms of flowers] on the usual terms. MS has been sent to the printer.
Comments on various species of Lagerstroemia.
In the series of opium poppy intercrosses made at CD’s suggestion, JS has learned that the reason they failed to intercross was the absence of insects at the period of their flowering.
No summary available.
CD made a Foreign Member of the Zeeland Scientific Society at Middelburg.
Sends specimens of Saxifraga tridactylites with insects caught by it. Asks if colour of leaves attracts insects.
Thanks for Saxifraga. CD had shown in Insectivorous plants [pp. 345–7] that this genus had some powers of absorption.
No summary available.
Thanks for membership of Zeeland Scientific Society at Middelburg.
Thanks GHL for a copy of his Physical basis of mind [1877].
Has heard CD is about to be proposed again for the Académie Française, but Huxley is proposed at the same time and may succeed against CD "as being more orthodox!"
Offers key to CD’s theory: fern roots are like little grubs.
Claims to have crossed the Australian Alps where Dr Müller [Ferdinand von Mueller?] failed.
Discusses locks and window-fastenings, which CD has discovered are not included in the contract for alterations to the house at Down, and a cornice in a passage-way..