Comments on FG’s article ["Hereditary improvement", Fraser’s Mag. 87 (1873): 116–30]. Finds it "the sole feasible, yet I fear utopian, plan of procedure in improving the human race".

Thanks for rabbits for Balfour.

Mentions reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas [of life (1872)].

Has studied CD’s books and accepts evolution without giving up belief in creation of first forms.

On theory in Descent, suggests offspring of the original [human] progenitor dispersed before a human stage arrived at; this would account for races and languages with no discernible common origin.

Asks whether his observations on absorptive powers of glandular hairs of plants are new facts.

Asks for a Drosophyllum.

Comments on Francis Galton’s article in Fraser’s Magazine,

Greg’s Enigmas,

and Alphonse de Candolle’s Histoire des sciences.

Fascinated by Greg’s Enigmas, though its matter is weak.

Is vexed at being drawn into hostility toward British Museum through William Carruthers’ insolence and presumption.

Recounts visit with Edward Cardwell [Secretary for War].

Has sent Candolle’s book to Gladstone.

JDH indignant at Gladstone’s speech putting English science below French and German.

Thinks it is an accepted dogma that glandular hairs are excreting only. Will ask others to confirm.

Has received, through AG, a letter on Dionaea [from W. M. Canby] which has greatly interested him. CD asks AG to question his correspondent on whether it catches large or small insects.

Mary Treat will observe Drosera filiformis.

Has pleasure in signing the [missing] enclosure, with every word of which he fully agrees.

Explains why he wants Drosophyllum.

Hopes JDH will be elected President of Royal Society.

Agrees with JDH on Greg’s Enigmas.

Would like Greg to visit Down if JDH comes as CD’s "protector".

Thanks MDC for letter on expression [see 8694].

Invites him to Down on 24th. CD warns that his health does not permit him to talk long with anyone.

Discusses two factors possibly causing modification of body or mind of an organism; habit and direct action of external conditions on the one hand, and selection, natural or artificial, on the other; considers their relative importance.

Drosophyllum is coming from Dublin. Will ship it to Down when it arrives.

The awful honour of Presidency of Royal Society; his aversion to dignities and honours.

R. Strachey [Proc. R. Geogr. Soc. (1873): 450] has paid him and CD a compliment.

Letter from Gladstone.

Had thrown Geographical Society’s Proceedings in waste-basket, but as Strachey shows such admirable powers of discrimination he will fish it out and read the whole article.

Comments on 3d ed. of Sachs’s work [Lehrbuch der Botanik (1873)]. Wishes he were more controversial.

Has become wonderfully interested in Drosera and Dionaea.

9000 copies of Expression have been printed and most are sold.

The Drosophyllum goes to Orpington by train this evening.

Response to ARW’s criticisms in his review [of Expression, Q. J. Sci. n.s. 3 (1873): 113–18].

Is not surprised CD dissents from his criticisms [of Expression?]. Holds to his own interpretation of the expression of astonishment.

Thanks for Expression, which has made him wonder whether his shyness in public until the age of 55 resulted from fear of subjecting his face to ridicule.

Criticises F. Galton’s Hereditary genius [1869] for neglecting environmental influence.

Sends his book [Bhawani (1872)], which is a poem in praise of evolutionary theory and showing its roots in ancient India.

Describes a patient’s ears with peculiar tufts of hair in places where he has never seen them before. Encloses sketch.

Describes shaken index finger in Japan and blushing among Chinese servants.

JP’s note [8739] suggests reversion, but that is an easy trap. Will look to the ears of "our brethren at the Zool. Gardens".

The evidence of tameness of Alpine butterflies [see 8672] seems good and the fact is surprising to CD for they can hardly have acquired this in their short life-time.

The question whether butterflies are attracted to bright colours independently of the supposed presence of nectar is still unanswered.

CD has great difficulty in believing that any temporary condition of parents can affect the offspring.

Pangenesis is much reviled, but CD must still look at generation from this point of view, which makes him averse to believing that an emotion has any effect on the offspring.