Has given CD’s queries about expression to W. H. Stirling. Thomas Bridges, the catechist, had previously answered some questions incompletely [see 2643]; BJS forwards them [see Expression].

BJS answers CD’s query about when some calves show their adult colour.

Responds to CD’s criticisms. JDH is sometimes confused as to what he has borrowed from CD.

MS essay "On esculent fruits" [apparently enclosed in a missing letter].

Will introduce Charles Kingsley to CD.

More comments on "Insular floras": community of peculiar genera in the Atlantic islands descended from European plants now extinct.

Comments on MS on seed distribution sent by TB.

JL’s brother-in-law [Robert Birkbeck] would like a note of introduction to John Murray.

Encloses note of introduction to Murray.

Wynne [gardener] suggests he should be paid from the money from the sale of the Mount, but EAD suggests an annual subscription instead.

Asks CD questions relating to the revised translation of Origin.

Seeks explanation of the case of the Rhynchaea, of which the female is more beautiful than the male, with the young resembling the latter. Wallace has told CD that at Nottingham AN explained this by the male being the incubator.

Does the male black Australian swan, or the black and white S. American swan, differ from the female in colour of plumage?

His view of CD’s hypothesis that Atlantic island genera are descended from extinct European plants.

On recent instalment of "Insular floras" in Gardeners’ Chronicle [(1867): 50]. Approves of JDH’s abstract of argument for transport of species [i.e., migration, as opposed to continental extension hypothesis].

Suggests that, in some birds, plumage of males is less colourful than that of females; the reason is that the males perform the duties of incubation [see Descent 2: 204 n.].

Thanks for the information about the male plumage. [See 5374.] Will look to the papers in Ibis to which AN has referred him. He finds AN’s theory captivating.

Describes progress in preparation of third German edition of the Origin. Asks about use of photograph for edition.

Encloses letter written a week ago. Letter and enclosure speculate on origins of human races in relation to geological and political changes, according to a theory of progressive development.

Was sorry CD wrote so little on man in Origin.

JM will publish [Variation] "coute qui coute", paying CD half the profits.

Thinks he can count on 500 purchases of what he calls the "Pièces Justificatives" of the Origin and will print 750 copies.

His literary friend found it "difficult of digestion".

On final instalment of "Insular floras" [Gard. Chron. (1867): 75]; rejoices at extent of their agreement.

Some criticisms of JDH’s position on geographical affinities, and volcanic islands.

First portion of Variation MS has been set up. Murray will not decide on number to be printed until he has read a good portion. The agreement applies only to the first edition.