Sends photographs received from Mr Van der Weyde who is working with associates in Montevideo collecting fossil bones. Asks WHF’s opinion of a specimen about which they are curious.

CD intends urging them to search the Tertiary bed beneath the Pampean formation.

‘The pigs-foot has been dispatched to day per Rail.’

Will be delighted to see WHF on 26th.

Encloses letter from R. A. Blair concerning goose with abnormal wing. Hopes WHF will look at bones.

Will bring photograph of goose with abnormal wing to London.

Has been poorly.

Comments on goose with abnormal wing.

Asks whether WHF has had time to look at goose’s wing.

Will ask Blair for more [goose] wing specimens.

Encloses letters from Blair on inheritance of injured wing in geese. Says specimens have been sent.

Mentions case of pigeon born without eyes.

Much obliged to WHF and Dr Garron for their trouble [over deformed goose wings]. Has no doubt that WHF’s view of the deformity is the right one. Will send WHF’s report to Blair.

CD and Emma enjoyed extremely meeting the Dean at WHF’s house.

Thanks correspondent for a gift of books.

Asks Flower to sign document [application for pension for Wallace].

Asks WHF to obtain photographs of skull of ox for J. L. A. Quatrefages de Bréau.

Thanks WHF for photographs [of niata ox skull]. Will tell Quatrefages de Bréau about the cast. May have the photographs copied for woodcuts to illustrate his book on variation under domestication.

Sends cheque to pay for photographs.

Discusses rudimentary sixth toe of frogs.

Does not know rules for admission to museum [of the Royal College of Surgeons]. CD’s son [Francis] wishes much to inspect some of the preparations.

Thanks WHF for his very good lecture.

Encloses a query from Camille Dareste [see 7262] about the niata ox skull CD gave to the museum [of the Royal College of Surgeons].

Asks WHF to check over some enclosed MS pages [Origin, 6th ed.?]. CD quotes some of WHF’s remarks, but should WHF not wish to be mixed with CD’s theoretic notions, CD will omit the whole paragraph.

Many think CD’s notions are "rubbish, pleasantly flavoured", like the reviewer in the Quarterly Review, who CD cannot doubt is "Mr Mivart, with bigotry arrogance illiberality & many other nice qualities".