CD did not bring any tortoises back from the Galapagos. There may be specimens at the Military Institution in Whitehall.

Sorry AG was unable to lunch with the Darwins during their stay in London.

Thanks AWM for "Comus" and an abusive New Orleans Mardi Gras newspaper editorial; he cannot tell from the "wonderful mistakes" whether the writer is "witty, ignorant, or blunders for the sake of fun".

Thanks CD for his kind letter about The fair haven [1873]. Encouraged by its reception. All he wants is to compel "an attitude of fixed attention in the place of cowardly shrinking from examination". Says he will try "a novel pure and simple with little ""purpose"" next".

It is Huxley’s "duty to do what we wish him to do – his duty to his wife and children, his duty to us and to the world". Shares CD’s wish that Mrs [Henry] L[yell?] had not subscribed – it suggests the idea of an effort.

Sends 15 studies in expression, acted by his wife.

Describes David Ferrier’s experiments on electrical brain stimulation of animals; these show direct relation between convolutions of the brain and groups of muscles [West Riding Asylum Med. Rep. (July 1873)].

"Try only 1 or 2 drops of Formic A[cid]."

Thanks LB for his essay on local biology.

CD with much care and discomfort is now able to work a few hours almost every day.

Thanks for letter and curious photographs. Urges AR not to send anything valuable unless he publishes it elsewhere because CD is growing old and may not have strength and time to continue his former researches.

Photographs sent by JC-B show great power of acting.

David Ferrier’s researches sound wonderful. Does he believe that he excites an idea and this leads to the movement, or that he acts directly on the motor nerves?

Fears all the seeds are dead. Will try with less vapour of formic acid.

The Huxley fund amounts to £1955. CD trembles about THH’s answer.

Left the Garibaldi at Rio de Janeiro.

Phylogeny of aphids.

Writes of his extreme interest in WBC’s article ["On the hereditary transmission of acquired psychical habits", Contemp. Rev. 21 (1873): 779–95].

[Sir Joseph?] Whitworth’s contribution brings total to over £2000. Wishes CD could be persuaded to come to lunch with Huxley and Emerson.

Sends leaves of Dionaea with insect prey in them. Size of insects captured may be affected by leaves not being fully grown.

Informs THH that 18 friends have given him a fund of £2100 to enable him to take a holiday.

Is overwhelmed by generosity of his friends. Admits he felt morally beaten and without energy for first time in his life. Someday wants the names of the friends.

Lady Lyell has died of typhoid.

Herbert Spencer is anxious to know about the state of affairs [fund for Huxley].

Edinburgh Review article [review of Expression, Edinburgh Rev. 137 (1873): 492–528] is "a thoroughly nasty unfair review as ever I read".

Affected by THH’s letter – will send a copy to the other 17 friends. Hopes for his and public’s sake his health will improve.

A circular letter forwarding to subscribers a copy of Huxley’s letter of thanks [8873].