Offers to go to Henslow despite his own poor health.

Congratulations on DO’s marriage.

Comments on QdeB’s Unité de l’espèce humaine [1861].

Discusses acceptance of his theory among scientists, especially geologists.

C. V. Naudin did not show how selection applied in nature, but Patrick Matthew clearly anticipated CD’s views.

Asks TD to carry out research on brachiopods to see whether the forms in one formation are intermediate between those above and below.

Describes unpublished study of spirifers by J. W. Salter.

Requests facts concerning the colour of the parents of true dun horses. His interest also in the colour and presence of spinal stripes of dun horses or ponies before they lose their first hair.

Thanks JM for bill for £480 and sends receipt. Number of copies differs in note and in receipt (2500 and 2000, respectively). Not surprised sale is slackening; number printed was bold. Reminds JM to advertise "with additions and corrections".

Will consult JM on illustrations for Variation.

Thanks RC for "Ice and water" [in RC’s Edinburgh papers (1861)].

Comments on problem of scientific accuracy.

Discusses views of Thomas Davidson on the genealogy of brachiopods.

Thanks TD for his letter. Difficulties with CD’s theory are many and great, but CD thinks the reason is that we underestimate our ignorance. The imperfection of the geological record counts heavily for CD. His greatest trouble is weighing "the direct effects … of changed conditions of life without any selection, with the action of selection on mere accidental (so to speak) variability. I oscillate much on this head, but generally return to my belief that the direct [effects] … have not been great."

Is surprised that any one, like W. B. Carpenter, can go as far as to believe all birds may have descended from one parent, but will not go further and include all the members of the same great division. Such beliefs make "Divine mockeries" of morphology and embryology, the most important of all subjects.

Thanks W. H. Fitch for drawing for the Primula paper. Death of experimental plants delays publication.

Has received the shipment of skeletons of fowls. Asks TCE species name of Gungla cock. Mentions other specimens.

Sends three tables on the known geological distribution of genera and subgenera of Brachiopoda. Has been continually puzzled by intermediate forms, and is convinced that the greater number of species can be linked together. "Natura non facit saltum."

Regrets the error in the bill and receipt. CD is surprised at so large a reduction in profit in the last edition.

Asks how many wild Chillingham cattle are killed each year. Interested in rate of increase.

Information is sought from correspondents regarding the mental powers of Polish and other tufted fowls. CD finds it hard to believe that the protuberance of the front part of the skull, which is accompanied by a change in the shape of the brain, would not produce a change in mental powers. References to Bechstein, Pallas, and Tegetmeier regarding the stupid behaviour of these birds.

CD is unable to locate his specimens of two Falkland Island birds [Opetiorhynchus].

Sends some replies to CD’s queries and data on pigeon flights between Bordeaux and Verviers.

Discusses results of his examination of fowls’ skeletons. Wants to quote TCE on variation in skeletons of allied species. Asks about skulls of birds with topknots.

CD is obliged for the offer, but he is "too much occupied to contribute to any periodicals".

Encloses amended note of £372 for third edition of Origin. Provides details of the calculation of profits.

Sends data on numbers of "wild" cattle in the herd on the estate of Lord Tankerville that have been killed by fighting, accidents, etc. He does not perceive that the cattle have diminished in size.