Discussion of the geology of Coquimbo, Chile.
Thanks LJ for his letter on Origin. Finds LJ agrees with him more than CD had expected.
Discusses problems of geological record, single primordial form, and man.
Comments on corrections [in Origin, 2d ed. (1860)], especially on use of Wallace's name.
Discusses human evolution with respect to CL's work. Cites expression as a source of evidence.
Andrew Murray's criticisms of the Origin involving blind insects in caves [Edinburgh New Philos. J. n.s. 11 (1860): 141-51].
Humorously describes human ancestors.
Thanks CL for loan of paper by J. S. Newberry ["Notes on the ancient vegetation of N. America", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 29 (1860): 208-18].
Mentions reviews of the Origin.
Discusses evolution of the domestic dog, especially with respect to the views of Owen, Pallas, and Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.
Mentions W. B. Carpenter's views on taxonomy.
Discusses hybridisation of plants and animals.
Comments on progress in human evolution.
Asks that a copy of Origin [3d ed.] be sent to Mlle Clémence-Auguste Royer; she has arranged with a publisher for a French translation.
Origin is exciting much attention in Germany.
Surprised to receive a Dutch translation.
Has never seen an advertisement [of 3d ed.], which is a pity. Hopes "Bishop of Oxford & Co." have not made JM sorry he published it.
Thinks Max Müller's Lectures on the science of language [1861-4] will do a real service to CD and natural selection.
The BAAS meeting at Cambridge was exhausting.
Owen came to attack him but was beaten; his paper fell flat.
A "society for propagation of common honesty in all parts of the world" was established at Cambridge [THH's "Thorough Club"?].
Sends his tranformist book [De la création: essai sur l'origine et la progression des êtres, 5 vols. (1838-41)]; his admiration for CD's work.
Response to ARW's papers on Papilionidae ["On the phenomena of variation and geographical distribution", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 25 (1866): 1-71; abstract in Reader 3 (1864): 491-3],
and man ["The origin of human races", J. Anthropol. Soc. Lond. 2 (1864): clviii-clxxxvi].
The former is "really admirable" and will be influential.
The idea of the man paper is striking and new. Minor points of difference. Conjectures regarding racial differences; the possible correlation between complexion and constitution. His Query to Army surgeons to determine this point. Offers ARW his notes on man, which CD doubts he will be able to use.
On sexual selection in "our aristocracy"; primogeniture is a scheme for destroying natural selection.
[Letter incorrectly dated March by CD.]
No book has made such a powerful impression on EH as the Origin. Most older German scholars opposed to it, but number of supporters growing among the young. Fortunately strength of religious dogmas now small among educated Germans. Situation in Jena especially favourable. Defended CD's theory last year at Congress of German Scientists in Stettin.
Intends special study of jellyfish.
Plans general work on natural history.
Hard fate [death of Anna Sethe Haeckel] has made EH indifferent to criticism.
Colleagues August Schleicher and Carl Gegenbaur also convinced by CD's theory.
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