Explains that he cannot serve as President of the Zoological Section at the BAAS meeting [1858].

Has finished with and is disposing of his pigeons.

Invites WBT to Down; would like to see his bees’ cells.

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.

Recommends W. B. Carpenter’s latest part of memoir on Foraminifera be published in Philosophical Transactions [R. Soc. Lond. 149 (1859): 1–41].

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].

Ask some questions on pigeons.

Remarks on the discussion of bees’ cells at the Leeds BAAS meeting. CD fancies he has the true theory with regard to their construction.

Comments on TCE’s skeletons.

Must get advice from Hugh Falconer on names of some bones.

Preparing his abstract [Origin].

Asks about colours of horses and stripes on asses.

Asks whether there are dogs in Spain like English pointers.

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.

Thanks JDH and Lyell for the actions they have taken with respect to ARW’s and CD’s papers. Considers himself fortunate to have been given any merit for his work. Is pleased that his correspondence has led to the earlier publication of CD’s work. It would have caused him "much pain & regret" if CD had made ARW’s paper public unaccompanied by his own views.

Asks about dirt clinging to feet of birds as means of seed distribution.

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.

Writes to WED about his living arrangements at Christ’s College; reminisces about his own Cambridge days.

At Hooker’s request, sends his copy of Gärtner [Bastarderzeugung (1849)], "shamefully scribbled over".

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