Draws CD’s attention to a paper by Maurice Girard containing observations on the fertilisation of Orchidaceae by two species of Longicornia [Ann. Soc. Entomol. France 9 (1869): xxxi–xxxii].

Hopes CD is coping with the very hard winter.

Sends specimens of Passiflora and seeds for T. H. Farrer [letter enclosed with 7188].

Sends CD some notes on the habits of the "American Blight Bird" in New Zealand.

Notes the differences in haemoglobin between species; this proves, to WP, that natural selection does not act only on morphological development.

Remarks on the differences and similarities in the effects of prussic acid on different groups of animals.

Questions CD on his early education and influences.

Responds to note about the MS [Descent] with great interest and promises to obey his instructions. [See 7124.]

Moritz Wagner is going to attack selection theory in his new book on his travels in America [Naturwissenschaftliche Reisen im tropischen Amerika (1870)].

K. G. Semper may attack CD’s theory of coral islands.

Suicide is rare among savages [see Descent 1: 94].

Forwards part of a note [by Mrs L. Agassiz] asking AG to tell CD that Agassiz has never been able to secure one of the fishes sitting on eggs.

In P.S., AG adds, "Agassiz evidently regrets having abused you in former times."

Transformism explains rudimentary organs, and teratology, which are otherwise inexplicable.

Looking forward to publication of Descent

and CD’s expected book on "Variation in nature" [see Variation 1: 4].

Describes his brother Alexander’s discovery of male of Bonellia, a striking example of dimorphism. Encloses a plate with notes on his brother’s work.

The difficulty his wife, Sofya Kovalevsky, has had as a woman in being admitted to Berlin University. Kirchow [Gustav Robert Kirchhoff], at Heidelberg, has taken an interest in her.

On the expression of disagreeable surprise.

CD was good enough to send notice of his new book [Descent] for the first number of the Academy; asks for further contributions and suggestions.

Experiments with Lapageria.

Will not be returning to London for a week; writes to save CD’s calling.

HM intends studying bees to find evidence supporting CD’s theories. His work has shown him there are problems in separating species from varieties, and has also revealed many surprising instances of variation in habits.

Interim report on the experiments with rabbits [to test Pangenesis].

Thanks CD for copy of Origin.

Encloses extensive, but incomplete, notes on expression among the insane, dealing specifically with blushing and the actions of the platysma and grief muscles.

Is currently at work on the development in birds of organs of flight according to CD’s principles; asks permission to quote CD in stating the theory.

Urges CD to republish his works in a collected edition, to make them more readily available to Germans.

Describes the unusual appearance of a horse whose mother had previously borne a foal by a quagga. The effect of one mating on the subsequent pregnancy of another mating is explained by JJW using Pangenesis.