Showing 1–20 of 97 items
On problem of sterility, CD cannot persuade himself that it has been gained by natural selection.
On sexual selection and minute variations, he tends to agree with ARW. Sends George Darwin’s notes on ARW’s argument.
ARW’s review of 10th ed. of Lyell’s Principles [see 6684] is admirable.
But he differs "grievously" with ARW on man. CD sees no necessity for an additional and proximate cause.
Encloses a letter to Nature [see 8448] correcting Dr Bree, who has accused ARW of "blundering". ARW should tear up CD’s letter if he does not like it or plans to reply himself.
Would be happy if ARW would undertake to help with correcting the proof-sheets of his revised edition of Descent. Outlines the job that would be required.
CD’s son [George] could do the work [of proof-correction for Descent, 2d ed.] if ARW finds he does not care for it.
Glad to hear that ARW is so busy.
CD believes that he has thrown some light on the acquirement of the power of digestion in Droseraceae [in Insectivorous plants].
E. R. Lankester has been unfairly blackballed at the Linnean Society. He is to be proposed for a second time, with CD seconding the proposal. Urges ARW to attend the ballot.
Refers to CD’s letter of "May last". ARW’s views on order of succession of species are in accordance with CD’s.
Disappointed that his paper ["On the law which has regulated the introduction of new species", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 2d ser. 16 (1855): 184–96] elicited no discussion; now ARW is trying to prove it. Paper merely states the theory.
On black jaguars breeding inter se: ARW has never heard of a parti-coloured one.
Gives an extract from L. von Buch on the flora of the Canaries [Physikalische Beschreibung der Canarische Inseln (1825)].
Natural selection does not explain why animals of different groups in the same place often resemble each other.
No summary available.
Cannot accept invitation at present.
Is sending a wild honeycomb from Timor.
Acknowledges Orchids with its disclosures of "wonderful adaptations".
Warns that CD aids critics by overstating the difficulties.
Did Owen write the article in the Quarterly Review? [Review of Origin by Samuel Wilberforce, Q. Rev. 108 (1860): 225–64].
Muscular fibres of whale no larger than those of bee – evidence of a community of origin.
Problem of the abortive wings of ostrich in relation to conditions of their survival.
Would be pleased to have third edition of Origin.
Is unwell and dreads the winter.
Acknowledges 3d edition of Origin.
Praise of Herbert Spencer’s First Principles [1862].
Health.
Is sending information about Timor fossils to be forwarded to Hugh Falconer.
Now recalls a Melastoma visited by some small Cetoniadae and bees (Xylocopa) in Malay Archipelago.
Encloses flowers of Melastoma from Singapore.
Acclimatisation of plants.
Striped horses in London.
Bees’ cells; has been promised information from the East.
Remarks on ARW’s review of Samuel Haughton’s paper on bees’ cells
and Origin.
Agassiz’s strength as geologist and weakness in natural history theory.
Work problems.
His butterfly collection.
Problems with book on Malay journey.
Recommends Herbert Spencer and his Social statics.
Spencer’s "masterly" nebular hypothesis.
On the Borneo cave exploration.
ARW will send his contribution to theory of origin of man. The vast mental and cranial differences between man and apes, whereas structural differences in other parts of body are small. The problem of explaining diversity of human races along with the stability of man’s form during all historical epochs. Discussion with "Anthropologicals" [following reading of ARW’s paper, "The origin of human races", before the Anthropological Society, 1 Mar 1864].
