Thanks for sending his article in the Westminster Review [n.s. 41 (1872): 28–49] and the notice of CD’s work.

Natural selection is under a cloud at present, but CD expects that it will be resuscitated.

Questions AG on earthworm activity in North America and would welcome information from northern Canada if AG has a correspondent there.

Obliged for QdeB’s efforts [to have CD elected member of Académie Française].

With regard to stress that QdeB lays on man’s walking on two legs, no one attributes much significance to difference in mode of locomotion between seals and terrestrial Carnivora or kangaroos and other marsupials.

Is resuming the study of worm-casts as he believes they will bear on the denudation of land. Requests specific information on the relative number, size, and manner of deterioration of worm-casts in India.

Is sending the requested photograph.

Mr Murray will send a copy of CD’s Journal of researches to L. S. Bouton [see 8107a].

Requests a prescribed physic [not specified].

Thanks recipient for memoir on fossil plants of the Devonian and Upper Silurian.

Thanks LHM for his work on consanguinity. [See 7299].

Thanks for observations on angles of worm-holes on slopes. William Darwin is observing at Stonehenge. She is worth her weight in gold.

Discusses the problems of mimicry as related to natural selection; the general variability of colour as a character; and the conditions necessary for natural selection to fix firmly a character.

Encloses a Fritz Müller letter speculating that organisms respond to certain colours because of the prevalence of those colours in their environment.

His rabbits have lost their patches and are grey.

Has FG seen William Crookes [spiritualist]?

Discusses earthworm activity observed in old ploughed fields.

Suggests BJS write to Louis Agassiz about his [fossil mammal?] specimens but doubts that he will have time to do the work. Regrets they were ignored at the Royal College of Surgeons; thinks Owen neglected many things because he was overworked.

Discusses role of orbicular muscle and distended veins in eye in secretion of tears. Asks WB’s opinion.

Heartily glad about Willy.

Has never had Zizania.

Still has Leersia. He cannot make the beast produce.

What slow coaches the Ministers are about the Ayrton affair.

Gives information on recent editions of Lyell’s works.

Invites RM to keep some specimens as long as he wishes.

Recalls vaguely the mention of a butterfly species in which the male alone is mimetic.

CD sends some sheets [of 6th ed. of Origin]. Informs JVC that he is having it stereotyped, so he can never again make any serious alterations. "The little strength left to me shall be employed on new works."

Has corrected last page of index of Origin [6th ed.]. Sends instructions.

Requests that JM make stereotype plates of 6th edition of Origin available to D. Appleton. This will be last edition and CD is "extremely anxious" to spread his views.