Congratulates WP on the success of his lectures.

Discusses the phrase "struggle for existence".

Sends a list of his papers.

Glad Dareste is candidate for Paris Chair. No subject more important than modification of structure by direct action of changed conditions, and Dareste has thrown much light on subject. Believes monstrosities cannot be separated from slighter variations.

Thanks for facts on inheritance. May be used if CD corrects 3d ed. [2d ed.] of Variation.

John Lubbock regrets GHD did not take the Eton post. JL thinks scientific masters will soon occupy places as high and as profitable as classical masters.

Replies to inquiries about his life and career.

Sends MS of 13 pages in answer to Nägeli, for new edition of Origin [5th ed., p. 151].

Finds JDH’s comments of utmost value. Answers some questions, and asks new ones. Transmission of variations. Relation of uniformity of structure to natural selection.

Discusses fertilisation of Aucuba and Polygala.

No paradox that unimportant characters are important systematically. This view removes heavy burden from CD’s shoulders. Relief that JDH does not object.

Received and read ACR’s Physical geology. Places him at head of the subaeria denudationists. Unfortunately CD confounded William Whitaker’s article with ACR’s views and gave Whitaker credit for first producing the evidence. Will rectify it now. Has eliminated the rubbish he wrote on the Weald and will add a paragraph on importance of subaerial denudation.

Asks whether JL would be prepared to sign a petition on behalf of Miss Eliza Meteyard who is seeking a civil list pension.

Thanks for publication applying CD’s theory to moral and social questions.

Transmits letter [from Fritz Müller].

Has been asked to permit a French translation of Orchids and Journal of researches.

At work on sexual selection.

Huxley has acknowledged receipt of VL’s letter. Both he and CD feel that some of VL’s statements were a little offensive although CD is sure this was not intended. Was glad to read the condensed statement of Comte’s claims in VL’s letter.

Envies JDH’s Russian trip.

Thanks for information on Aucuba. Urges him to experiment – case "has highest physiological importance, not to mention Pangenesis".

Has heard that Huxley has been attacking views of Sir W. Thomson.

Has received 12 plants of Drosophyllum lusitanicum from Oporto.

CD will supply the sheets of the new edition of the Origin [5th ed. (1869)] if JD goes ahead with his work [Kurze Darstellung der Lehre Darwin’s über die Entstehung der Arten der Organismen (1870)]. Has no objection to JD’s quoting him, but wonders whether the German publisher of Origin might not feel injured.

Asks about coat colour of elk,

the mane of American bison,

and about sexual preferences of female deer.

Thanks MW for two publications [see 6682].

Interested in Barkly’s letter about Mauritius. Doubts non-volcanic origin. Urges collection of all forms of terrestrial life to determine whether they are of a former continent or "waifs and strays". He leans to latter view, as snakes and reptiles are different.

Huxley’s address wonderfully "brilliant", but it is a mistake to separate evolutionists from uniformitarians.

Bentham has come out "splendidly" on descent of species.

Asks whether in Slavonic races the hair of the beard and head are different colours.