Last fascicles of FR’s book Der Mensch [1866] being sent.

Finds roots of human race in Negroes of Africa, Bushmen of South Africa and New Guinea, and short-headed peoples of south Asia.

Has translated natural selection as natürliche Auslese.

Ludwig Rütimeyer active in developing the descent of mammals.

Sends a paper on Bombus ["On the habits of some species of humble-bees", Commun. Essex Inst. 4 (1866): 98–104].

Is seeking election to the Royal Society.

Asks CD whether he knows of a medicine to check vomiting – for a friend dying from starvation as a result.

Duke of Somerset is looking for two naturalists for survey ship to Korea and Strait of Magellan.

Looks forward to reading Variation.

Explains how two or more female forms occur in one species through selection. The physiological problem remains of how each produces offspring like the other without intermediates. Is not CD’s case of varieties that will not blend the physiological test of a species needed for "complete proof of the origin of species"?

"Travels" postponed.

Thanks CD for supporting his application to the Royal Society.

Sends the numbers [of periodicals?] CD wished to see, and a list of other journals in which his papers have appeared.

Sends a diet for CD’s flatulence.

Memorandum of a meeting of the Natural History & Antiquarian Society held in Dumfries on Tuesday 6 February 1866.

Thanks CD for Journal of researches.

Insect genus Elater is an exception to the rule that all luminous organs give out a green light.

Gives some observations on climbing plants at Itajahy.

His study of orchids has convinced him of the value of CD’s book.

Reports instances of birds admiring their images in mirrors or on pictures.

Going to Orient as naturalist aboard the Rifleman. Offers CD his services.

Is sending Ophrys plants marked as CD requested as wild or under cultivation. Discusses arrangements for a scheme planned for 1867 and his method for marking his Ophrys specimens.

Suggests two ways of financing what Susan will owe Catherine’s estate.

Division of Catherine’s estate.

Arrangements for EAD’s will.

Wishes CD would pay him another visit.

Thanks for CD’s suggestions. [From CD’s notes on CC’s previous letter, these were (1) means of distribution; (2) domestic animals; (3) gestures of savages.]

Had Busks and Lyells to dinner.

Examines and criticises evidence for CD’s hypothesis that the glacial period was not one of universal cold. Physicists deny its possibility.

Informs CD third edition of Origin is exhausted. Proposes a new edition. Has CD any changes? Since demand is slowing up, proposes printing only 1250 copies and deferring payment of CD’s share until sales have repaid manufacturing costs.

Lyell wants to see JDH’s last letter [the part on glacial periods]. Lyell full of concern about astronomical causes of heat and cold on the globe.

Encloses letter from John Scott.

Sends papers on graft-hybrids ["Sur les hybrides obtenus par la greffe", Bull. Congr. Int. Bot. & Hortic. Amsterdam (1865): 65–80, and "Über Mischlinge, durch Pfropfen entstanden", Sitzungsber. K. Phys.-oekon. Ges. Königsberg 6 (1865): 11–21].