Thanks CD for letter of 3 Oct [missing] about LB’s publication.

C[harles?] P[arker?] says he has made a "fearful mistake", and the marriage cannot be; EAD hopes to come to CD next week.

Beginning of extract from William Dell Hartman’s "Journal of the doings of Cic[ada?] septemdecim" [unidentified] in Pennsylvania in 1851.

J. J. Sylvester reports George’s fellowship "the most enviable position on earth".

Charles [Parker?] "appears to be ruined".

Gives CD a reference to one of his papers ["Remarks on the modes of variation of nearly affined species or races of birds", J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 19 (1850): 221–9]

and discusses moulting in birds.

Quotes instance of an action by an elephant that apparently displays considerable intelligence.

Bibliographical references on [stridulation in] Coleoptera. Finds no idea of sex has occurred to authors [i.e., they do not find the stridulating organs differing according to sex; cf. Descent 1: 378–85].

Sexual differences in coloration. Sexual selection versus natural selection as explanations. ARW continues to argue against sexual selection, saying that natural selection, in keeping the female dull for protection, would account for differences in sexual colouring more effectively than inheritance and partial transmission of sexually selected male colours. Colours of female birds of paradise. Protective coloration. Disagrees with CD on coincidence of hidden nests and bright colours of females.

Replies to CD’s questions on sexual differences in birds.

Encloses copy of H. Barkly’s answer to JDH’s inquiry on the Seychelles Island crocodile.

A sermon.

Gustavus Hinrichs is also a [not highly regarded] correspondent of JT’s; he will put GH’s papers on the table at Royal Institution to ease CD’s conscience.

Dined with the Asa Grays at Hooker’s. Told Mrs Gray that CD’s ill health was a benefit because it caused him to ponder a great deal.

Congratulates CD on election of his son [George] as a Fellow of Trinity College.

Describes his ill health.

Invites CD to visit Cambridge.

[Letter dated November in error.]

Will finish translation of Für Darwin in a week.

Asks CD to use his influence to get him appointed Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society [London].

Encloses further replies from Australia to CD’s queries on expression. Wilson’s letter to CD enclosed the letter from Smyth with its enclosures (see S6314).

On local black-boned fowls,

CD’s new book [Variation], and Pangenesis.

Both sexes of Crossoptilon auritum (eared pheasant) obtained the red cheeks the first year.

Coloration of the linnet.

Thanks CD for his promise of support and his flattering opinion of his qualifications for the position of Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society.

Describes departure of expedition to China, Japan, and South America.

Copy of CD’s queries provided to expedition.

Invites CD to make suggestions for scientific work to be carried out.

Describes Lappago aleina, a species of South African grass,

and reports his observations on locusts and their feeding habits.

Delighted with mechanisms of Salvia and Viola. How can anyone who compares structure of Viola cornuta and common violet still suppose them to be separate creations?