Discusses several subjects, including examples of "Unity of coloration",

the origin of gall-producing poison,

Wagner’s theory of viviparous larvae,

and stridulation in insects.

Sends a reference supporting CD’s statement in Origin that flies check propagation of horses and cattle.

Declines writing testimonial for AN for the Cambridge Professorship in Zoology. The post requires expertise in comparative anatomy and histology, whereas AN’s work is on habits and colours of birds.

CD and ED bequeath an annuity of £50 to J. Parslow [the Darwins’ butler].

Will be proud to publish CD’s new work on domestic animals [Variation]. Will announce it as the complement of the Origin. Advises on woodcuts; does not wish to limit number; agrees to CD’s suggestions for artists.

Discusses proposed publication of Variation.

Kew affairs.

H. J. Carter’s observations are wonderful but want verification.

Skeptical of H. H. Travers’ observations.

Thanks CD for his paper on Lythrum [Collected papers 2: 106–31].

Astonished by CD’s powers of observation and perseverance.

His elms raised from three varieties of weeping elms are doing well.

Sends camera outlines of pollen. Thinks the red longstyled ones are more sterile than the yellow.

May his son George call for advice on his career?

CD has been ill for past four months.

Discusses income provided for sons at Cambridge.

Thanks for correcting Fritz Miller’s paper on climbing plants. CD will send it to Linnean Society.

Reports that dogs caught in the act of sodomy have been attacked by their fellows, who mutilate the offender’s genitals.

Gives a description of the nature and occurrence of the wild Bos of Formosa.

[Outline sketches of pollen from short-styled yellow primrose and from long-styled yellow and red primroses.]

Sends photograph.

THH wishes he could write the popular zoology but writing is a boring and slow process when he is not interested, and he is overburdened with lectures.

Thanks for Lythrum paper [Collected papers 2: 106–31].

T. S. Cobbold’s book on the Entozoa [1864].

Remarks on development of the tapeworm.

Regrets he has not yet finished his monograph on Bos. Has examined and discusses the Bos skull from Lord Tankerville.

Would like CD’s opinion on the conclusions in LR’s paper on fossil horses.

"I return your letter to [William] Sharpey." Grandest eulogium CD has received.

Thanks CD for his Lythrum paper [Collected papers 2: 106–31].

Tells of the birth of his 16th child. Has five grandchildren.

Has finished long paper on "Climbing plants". Prefers sending it to Linnean Society if Bentham does not think it too long.

For New Zealand flora [1864–7] CD suggests JDH count plants with irregular corollas and compare with England.

Does not quite agree about Reader.

Is Tyndall author of piece on spiritualism?

CD’s illness diagnosed as "suppressed gout".

Bentham wants "Climbing plants" for Journal of the Linnean Society, however long [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 9 (1865): 1–118]. Publication in Proceedings of the Royal Society restricts correspondence.

Reader much improved.

Tyndall did write piece on spiritualism ["Science and the spirits", Reader 4 (1864): 725–6].

"Suppressed gout" annoys him as a term cloaking ignorance.