Six children have died of scarlet fever in Down village.

Writing abstract is amusing and improving work. Thanks JDH and Lyell for setting him to it.

The CD–Wallace paper has gone to press.

JDH’s tabulation of variable species from Bentham was done in haste.

Bees’ cells; is the hexagonal shape deliberate or merely the result of lateral pressure on cylinders?

Thanks JDH for stylistic corrections on MS of large and small genera.

Observations, while walking along headlands, on thistle-down blown out to sea and then blown inland.

CD and his family have come to the seashore, driven from home by scarlet fever at Down, death [of Charles Waring Darwin], and other family illness. Sorry to miss seeing JSH.

Would be grateful to hear his objections to CD’s species speculations.

Encloses a list of British perennials which seed in New South Wales and explains the source of his information. Lists plants which have become weeds in the country.

Cannot explain impurity of his alleged pure lines.

Answers CD’s query about distribution of European perennials in the highlands of Java.

Discusses domestic affairs.

Is working at the abstract of his book [Origin].

Asks WED to examine birds’ feet for dirt sticking to them, as this may represent a means of seed dispersal across seas.

Praise for abstract of JL’s paper on insects ["On the ova and pseudova of insects", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 9 (1857–9): 574–83].

Sends £20. Family news.

Answers WED’s questions about CD’s Journal of researches: Galapagos "productions" all came from America, but "they have since been modified by my principle of Natural Selection".

Abstract growing to inordinate length.

Writing in support of S. Passell as assistant at Linnean Society.

Sends more bean seeds.

Abstract will run into a small volume.

Urges JDH not to reject natural selection until he has read abstract.

[Enclosed are CD’s comments on a ?JDH manuscript that perhaps belong elsewhere.]

Answers CD’s queries about seed lot he has just sent.

Has examined feet of many partridges, but has not been able to obtain any quantity of mud from them.

Fertilisation of papilionaceous flowers [Collected papers 2: 19–25].

JDH’s reactions to CD’s theory.

Discussed human fossil evidence with Hugh Falconer.

Further answers on his seed lot.

Glad WED has begun under George Henslow in the way that he has. CD wishes he had had such practice under J. S. Henslow.

Has had luck in his search for striped horses.

On moving the natural history collection of the British Museum to Kensington.

Subscription for John Ralfs.