Praises and comments on JL’s essay on insects ["Origin of insects", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. 11 (1873): 422–5].

CD offers to mark corrected passages in sheets of 6th edition of Origin.

Discusses question of hybrids between goats and sheep, on which H. von Nathusius has cast doubt in his recent Viehzucht [1872]. CD gives several references for a contrary view.

Asks JVC to inquire about HvN’s assertion that castrated rams have no horns.

Has decided that 1000 copies of Descent should be printed. Will make no alterations. "If it goes on selling it will shew that it is worth a thorough revision."

The U. S. sale of Descent (10000 copies) is larger than in England.

Thanks for the information about the action of roots on rocks.

Inquires about the effect of turf covering on the rate of disintegration of rock.

Asks for some pamphlets, the titles of which have been sent to him by Dr Spengel [see 8053].

Will send FD’s work [Studi sopra un lignaggio anemofilo delle composte (1871)] to Nature for review.

CD’s health has been poor all summer – he doubts that he will ever "have the strength to publish on Variability under a state of Nature".

Hopes to publish on cross- and self-fertilisation next summer.

Encloses his photo and asks for FD’s.

Reports how his sons enjoyed their trip to America.

Is glad SRSN is settled in Dresden.

Thanks HL for his kind note, the interesting notice, & the photograph.

He has made a mistake about the Lepas. It is the L. australis that is confined to the S. Hemisphere. L. hillii is found all over the world. Refers HL to Living Cirripedia [1851].

CD is considering repeating experiments on melastomads in which different pollen sizes produced differing seedling sizes.

Responds to JDH’s query on differences in pollen within the same species.

Discussed observations made in 1863 of Impatiens pollen and humble-bees.

Much perplexed by W. Crookes’s article. He can neither disbelieve nor believe. Article has removed some of his difficulty in that the supposed power is not an anomaly. Hopes men such as G. G. Stokes will be induced to witness Crookes’s experiments.