Is sending Drosera back

and "the curious Kerguelen book".

"Drosera has almost been the death of me."

Hopes the accursed man [Ayrton] does not give JDH any more trouble.

Discusses the coiling of tendrils of climbing plants.

AG’s recent tour of the U. S.

He will send his book [Harvesting ants and trap-door spiders (1873)]. Describes two new types of trap-door spider nests.

Miscellaneous personal matters.

What does CD think of Robert Mallet’s earthquake theory? Would it not account for strata dipping at base of range of mountains?

Has translated half of Expression; is delighted with it. Comments on some points that he questions.

Is at work on concluding part of his handbook of zoology [Handbuch der Zoologie, 2 vols. (1863–75), with A. Gerstaecker].

Discusses JTM’s research on habits of insects. "How incomparably more valuable are such researches than the mere description of a thousand species."

Corrects CD’s spelling of the name of a statue: the Arrotino (spelled "Arretino" by CD) [see Expression, p. 184, on grief-muscles].

Much experiment and observation needed before spontaneous generation will be empirically advanced, but philosophically the matter is clear.

Thinks Ludwig Rütimeyer has attacked EH to satisfy pious opinion in Basel.

Will soon be finished with his monograph Die Kalkschwämme [1872].

Huxley will be asked to review Expression in Pall Mall Gazette.

WM converted to belief in evolution by experience of museum work.

Describes protective coloration of coots’ eggs.

Suggests possible experiments with Pisum and Lathyrus.

Has read the article CD spoke of; the doctrine of inherited mental and corporeal qualities is most fertile.

Asks permission to translate Expression into German. Will superintend an Italian translation.

Informs CD of hornless fossil Bos etruscus and Miocene fossils of genus Sus [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 505, 521].

Condolences on death of JDH’s mother.

Samuel Pozzi has been proposed by C. Martin and Paul Broca as translator of Expression.

First volume of Descent has sold 1200 copies.

Asks for London address of George King [Superintendent of Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta], so he can ask about worm-castings sent by King from S. India. Has just received a splendid letter from John Scott on worms.

Asks where he can buy Dionaea.

Doubts accuracy of Bible translations quoted by CD as evidence that Semitic races blush.

Questions his note on derivation of words like "ugly", "huge", etc.

Lists some mistakes and misprints.

Has not seen CD for about 25 years. Has heard an absurd story that CD and Emma are exploring an unknown part of America.

Has initiated inquiries about Dionaea.

Sends George King’s address.

Asks for address of a Mrs Barber somewhere in South Africa.

JDH’s letter in Nature [6 (1872): 516–17] is excellent, and wonderfully quiet.

Severely criticises Owen’s conduct.

Asks to see notes on Indian worm-castings.