Response to Insectivorous plants. Surprised that CD did not discuss origin of the contrivances. Critics will interpret them as inexplicable by theory of natural selection.

Thanks for Climbing plants [2d ed.].

Is reading proofs [of Geographical distribution (1876)].

Comments on CD’s criticism of Geographical distribution.

Plans to sell his house.

Responds to CD’s comments and criticism of Geographical distribution.

Responds to CD’s new work [Cross and self-fertilisation]. Suggests results might have been more convincing if CD had measured weights instead of heights. The fact that infertile hybrids have not been produced means that the "one great objection" has not been got rid of: the physiological characteristic of species. Suggests an experiment to produce "sterile mongrels" which would remove objection.

Thanks for new edition of Orchids.

The remarkable papers of Mott on Ernst Haeckel ["On Haeckel’s history of creation", Proc. Lit. & Philos. Soc. Liverpool 31 (1876–7): 41–89].

The part played by carbon in geological changes.

Thanks CD for Forms of flowers.

Further objections to "voluntary" sexual selection. Believes that he can explain all the phenomena of sexual ornaments and colours by laws of development aided by simple natural selection.

Excited by Thomas Belt’s "oceanic glacier river-damming" hypothesis. The last paper, "Glacial period in the Southern Hemisphere" in the Quarterly Journal of Science is particularly fine.

Sexual selection, he thinks, must be left to others to settle. "Conscious" will be substituted for "voluntary" selection. Sound- and scent-producing organs attributed to "natural", not "conscious", selection.

Requests support for his appointment as Superintendent of Epping Forest.

Working on a book [Australasia. Stanford’s compendium of geography and travel, edited and extended by A. R. Wallace (1879)].

Thanks for CD’s support for [Epping Forest] appointment. Doubts about the proposed management.

Plans for his new book, Contributions to the theory of natural selection (1870), which will contain his papers on the subject.

Thanks for the drawing.

E. Claparède’s review [of Theory of natural selection, Rev. Cours Sci. 7 (1870): 564–71] is weak.

Looks forward [to Descent] with fear of being "crushed under a mountain of facts!"

On a good criticism of ARW’s views [North Am. Rev. (1870)].

Problems of establishing a permanent residence.

His Presidential Address for Entomological Society will answer A. Murray on geographical distribution of Coleoptera.

Response to [vol. 1 of] CD’s Descent.

Not yet convinced on sexual selection and protection, though their differences are not so great as CD thinks.

On man, he does not think CD has accounted for every step of his development by "ascertained laws".

Admiration for vol. 2 of Descent, and plans for his review of it for the Academy [2 (1871): 177–82].

News of his new residence.

Although their language is different, the Bugis are typical Malays both physically and mentally.

Recommends [W. M. Williams] The fuel of the sun [1870] as remarkably illuminating about physical astronomy. Williams solves the problem of duration of sun’s heat in "a most satisfactory manner".

Chauncey Wright’s article is sound, but so obscure ARW doubts utility of printing it separately.

Gives his own detailed analysis of Mivart’s attack.

Sorry CD allows criticisms of Darwinism to worry him.

Sends notes on Fritz Müller’s letter.