On the declining population of the Hawaiian Islands [see Descent (1875), pp. 186–7, 187–8 n. 43].

Signs Robert Swinhoe’s certificate [for the Royal Society] with pleasure.

Feels CD’s and Fritz Müller’s judgments on his "Anwendung" essay [see 8313] are of highest value. Mentions some of FM’s comments.

Looks forward to second English edition of Descent.

Returns proofs; has no criticisms or remarks worth sending.

Asks HBT to sign certificate [for Royal Society] for Robert Swinhoe.

Offers information on pea-fowl for new edition of Variation.

Sends his observations on the fertilisation of Hedychium gardnerianum by sphinx moths. Did not look for pollen on the wing tips.

Gives the answers of two of the best dog breeders to CD’s queries.

Criticises sexual selection theory. Supports natural selection.

Gives CD references on proportion of sexes in spiders.

At the suggestion of Crichton-Browne CD writes on behalf of his son George, who is making a study of marriages between first cousins and of their offspring to determine the proportion of the latter who may be among the insane, deaf and dumb, idiotic, blind etc. Is GES willing to ask his patients [at the Royal Albert Asylum] for the information relevant to this study?

Thanks for answering his query on greyhound puppies.

Does not believe in the possibilty of dog suicide.

Reports on a female black-winged pea-fowl at his home in Ireland.

Thanks for copies of HdV’s two articles on climbing plants (Vries 1873a and 1873b).

Discusses meaning of term "sexual selection".

Comments on variability in males.

Thanks for his election as Foreign Honorary Member.

Thanks for LR’s essay on living and fossil turtles [Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchâtel 9 (1873): 439–41].

General observations on the native Hawaiian population.

Answers to queries are being sent.

Enclosure 1: statistics on puppies bred by Rayner in 1873.

Enclosure 2 from W. N. Massey: number of males or females raised depends entirely on preference of greyhound breeders.

Enclosure 3 from E. L. Williams: breeders prefer to destroy bitch pups.

Enclosure 4: Thomas Morse answers CD’s three queries, transmitted by GC: (1) in deerhounds, females predominate, three to one; (2) in all but cattle, females are less worth preserving; (3) TM rears all the young.

Enclosure 5: John Wright responds to CD’s queries about proportion of sexes in births of horses, cattle, and dogs.

Enclosure 6: G. W. Hickman cannot give reliable answers to CD’s queries on proportion of sexes born [in greyhounds?].

CD wishes to acquire a piece of JL’s land.