Wants WED to thank F. de Chaumont for some valuable observations.

Regrets he has not time to develop points touched on in her letter and that he does not understand what information she wants.

Wants to sell some shares held in trust by EAD and Josiah Wedgwood [III].

Sends two waste sheets of MS of Descent; Miss F can cut out any portion she likes.

Thanks for a book. "I am so much overworked at present that I cannot read it now, & I am a very poor German scholar".

"With Mr. Charles Darwin’s compliments enclosing one guinea."

Thanks for references about dogs. Fears work will not allow him to deal with subject again. Heartily subscribes to what correspondent says about qualities of dogs. Loves his "with all my heart".

Does not know rules for admission to museum [of the Royal College of Surgeons]. CD’s son [Francis] wishes much to inspect some of the preparations.

Asks correspondent to thank Thomas Laycock for his references. CD has been away from home and has not yet consulted his copy of Laycock’s Mind and brain [1860].

Thanks her for marked proof-sheets.

Discusses climate in earlier geological periods.

Thanks for his article Valeur philosophique de l’hypothèse du transformisme (Bertillon 1870), which is very clear.

Would not himself trust so much in Agassiz’s conclusions.

Glad the essay has been published, as he believes ‘there are but few in France who admit the doctrine of evolution’.

Asks for a ticket for THH’s lecture at the Royal Institution for WED. With ED’s and HED’s forgeries of CD’s signature.

Sends contribution of £5 to Settle Cave Exploration Fund.

All the inhabitants of Down hope JL will endeavour to induce the Post Office to improve the telegraph service.

Sends correspondent a £25 subscription for George Cupples.

Thanks for note concerning JP’s new book [Geology of Oxford (1871)].

Responds to Mivart’s Genesis of species. "I complain of his incessently speaking as if I trusted exclusively to natural selection … Mivart speaks in many places as if I entirely ignored the direct action of external conditions". Answers some of Mivart’s particular criticisms. Suggests FD read the letter to Marlborough Robert Pryor, as Pryor will never be able to read it himself.

Is infinitely obliged for a correction. "You men who do only or chiefly original work have an immense advantage over compilers like myself, as you can know what to trust." Wishes he had consulted PLS before using A. E. Brehm’s Thierleben woodcuts [for Descent]. PLS’s assistance has saved him from "endless blunders"; he now feels safe.

Has no idea about length of index [for Descent]. W. S. Dallas wrote it would take ten days more. Asks how many presentation copies he may have. Lists journals to receive review copies.

CD has forgotten about S. J. O. Horsman and the church organ and asks for any information that will help him inform his solicitors in connection with a document he has received and encloses. Will not apologise for what he said, but is ignorant of what it was.