Is preparing a volume of his articles [Essays on scientific and other subjects (1862)], to one of which he would like to add a postscript referring to CD’s Origin [pp. 100–1]. Sends proposed postscript for CD’s approval.

Encloses note from Murray, hoping it will be satisfactory. Murray is ready to see as much of MS as possible. Murray is considered honest but may be cautious, since HWB’s name is unknown to the public.

Returns HH’s essay.

CK defended CD’s theory at a shooting party with the Bishop of Oxford, the Duke of Argyll, and Lord Ashburton. The discussion started as a result of shooting some blue rock-pigeons which were different from blue rocks of other localities. CK held that all pigeons were descended from one species.

CK proposed that mythological races, e.g., elves and dwarfs, were intermediate species between man and apes, and have become extinct by natural selection; i.e., by competition with a superior white race of man.

Asks for the address of C. W. Crocker.

Sends C. W. Crocker’s address.

Doubts CWC can help with Mormodes.

Will see CD at Lubbock’s.

Wrote a "frightful screed" about aristocracy’s being a necessary consequence of natural selection, and then burnt it.

H. W. Bates is the only man "thinking out" natural selection to any purpose. "I think I have driven Bates back to Nat. Sel. as the only way of solving his difficulties."

HWB’s mimetic butterflies.

JDH wishes he had time to do the same thing with plants.

Owen and Huxley involved in a "contemptible" squabble in the Edinburgh newspapers.

Maximovitch reports Stellaria bulbifera is a Siberian form which never ripens its seeds.

Thanks for seeds.

Agrees with CD’s estimate of the man [unidentified]. Hopes CD will use his influence with Lubbock to try to prevent the Council’s placing him at the head of the Zoological Society.

Sends dried specimens of Melastomataceae.

Suggests a change in the postscript [referred to in 3423].

Returns a letter, which, when it is published, he believes will make readers take up THH’s lectures in a more impartial spirit.

Asks GB’s help to clear up discrepancies between his and John Lindley’s observations on pollination of Melastomataceae.

Returns "The Week" [unidentified].

Agrees with THH’s published letter that writer is a man of excellent spirit, but doubts he is a good logician.

Comments on CK’s letter [3426].

Identifies species of pigeon shot by party.

On CK’s "grand and awful" notion of genealogy of man, CD recalls how revolting was the thought that his ancestors must have been like the Fuegians. His present belief that they were hairy beasts is less revolting.

Thanks JDH for box of melastomes

and a very valuable reference from Daniel Oliver.

Is crossing Monochaetum which he thinks is dimorphic.

Is "sometimes half tempted to give up species & stick to experiments".

Pollen of Bletia hyacinthina is quite unlike other Bletia species but exactly the same as Epipactis.

Describes battles among bulls for leadership of the [Chillingham] herd.

Sends MS of Orchids except last chapter. It contains many new and curious facts and conclusions, but he has no idea whether it will sell. If it does not, will hold himself largely responsible.

Has received diploma from the University of Breslau [honorary doctorate in medicine and surgery]. Should he forward it or will CD pick it up in London? [See 3226a and 3446.]

Chillingham cattle leg bones will be sent to LR.

J. E. Gray has read a paper on unusual Japanese domesticated pig at the Zoological Garden ["On the skull of the Japanese pig", Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. (1862): 13–17].