Hooker’s lecture to BAAS ["Insular floras"] was capital,

but hears Wallace’s paper [Address to Anthropology Section, Rep. BAAS 36 (1866): 93–4] was best.

Pleased RS continues zealous work for natural history.

CD considers the report that N. American antelopes’ horns are intermediate between hollow and solid horns of ruminants to be one of the more curious facts he has lately heard of with respect to higher animals [C. A. Canfield, "On the habits of the prongbuck", Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. (1866): 105–11].

CD’s queries on expression as reprinted in Notes and Queries on China and Japan 1 (1867): 105.

Sends CD a specimen of the domestic pigeon of China.

Discusses a race of ducks he believes are hybrids between the Muscovy and Chinese domestic duck.

Sends CD a Chinese breed of guinea-pig. Has heard it claimed that the domestic guinea-pig will not interbreed with the wild rock cavy and that, therefore, artificial selection has formed a new species.

Difference in plumage of Ardeola, a species of heron, in summer and winter. [See Descent 2: 190.]

Describes the similarity in plumage changes between Japanese and Chinese birds on the one hand and British and continental birds on the other. Suggests the changes are due to the warm gulf streams around both islands.

Sends two interesting cases: a flamingo with barnacles covering its legs

and castrated wild asses of Kutch.

Reports on a strange breed of sheep at Aden,

a Brazilian plant naturalised in Ceylon,

the Australian Casuarina equisetum spreading in Taiwan,

and an excrescence on wing of several thrushes of Taiwan similar to a growth on wing of a Syrian species.

Reports that dogs caught in the act of sodomy have been attacked by their fellows, who mutilate the offender’s genitals.

Gives a description of the nature and occurrence of the wild Bos of Formosa.

Sends CD comb of the Chinese honey-bee, as requested.

Will do his best to get observations on expression among the Chinese.

Reports observations on hedgehogs collecting fruit with their spines.

Discusses the domestic pig of Formosa, its wild ancestors, and its capacity to breed with other races.

Discusses a domestic oriental fowl.

Is having problems getting answers to CD’s queries on expression as Chinese facial expressions are limited and controlled. Answers as well as he can. [See Expression index.]

Has a book of photographs of Japanese that CD might be interested in for his work on expression.

Sends a copy of Notes and Queries for Francis Galton, as it contains a reply to Galton’s circular on hereditary genius.

RS much refreshed by his trip to Down.

Asks who the gentleman is who is studying cattle skulls; RS has some that he would like examined.

Is leaving for Ningpo; asks CD for another copy of his [Queries about expression], which he will try to answer.

Discusses expression among the Chinese. Reports certain physical characters and the practice of certain unusual customs.

Wants CD to propose him for the Royal Society.

Matters of etiquette concerning his certificate for the Royal Society.