On irritation of cutaneous nerves exciting responses in unconnected skin muscles.

Sends questions on expressions of Laura Bridgman.

Has finished Descent. Believes that parts, like that on moral sense, will aggravate AG.

Working on an essay on expression.

Does shut eyes when scratching himself. Will ask Langstaff about muscles used when playing flute. Is back at work but hobbling around.

The box of bones sent by CD has led to a series of explorations. Reports on Yorkshire cave-hunting.

Will send copy of Descent.

Comments on JC-B’s MS on expression among insane. Asks about weeping in insane men. Do idiots laugh when pleased?

Thanks for photographs of insane. Asks for additional photographs.

Comments on Henry Maudsley [Body and mind (1870)].

Pointed ears in the insane.

Sends a publication to Darwin.

Asks for a portrait.

Sends CD some remarks he made before the Academy of Natural Sciences [Philadelphia].

TM is indebted to the Origin for first suggesting to him which observations might be useful to those working out the greater laws of nature.

Asks that a presentation copy [of Descent?] be sent to Edward Blyth. Comments on publication.

Discusses presentation copies [of Descent]. Dallas returned proofs of index on Friday. Asks for John Stuart Mill’s address.

Hopes German edition [of Descent] has not yet been printed because he has fallen into a most serious blunder [about sexual selection never acting on the young] on pp. 297–9 of vol. 1.

Printing of Descent will be done this day. Cannot publish until next week.

Values CD’s approbation more than that of anyone else now living.

CD’s "searching questions". Sends answers separately.

Offers his observation on morbid pigmentation of skin.

Offers photographs of abnormal features in patients – ears with bristles, women with two sets of nipples.

Encloses notes on weeping and laughter in the insane.

"I have made a serious blunder in p. 297, vol 1 of my book [Descent of man]. Kindly inform me by return of post whether this is printed in Dutch; for if not I will send you a correction in M.S. There are also two short omissions to be made in Vol. 2 … "

The pages [of Descent] CD wishes to correct are not yet printed.

JVC’s work on the translation has been interrupted by illness.

Bound copies [of Descent] have been dispatched to CD.

Robert Cooke, JM’s cousin and partner, has been nominated for Athenaeum; asks CD’s support.

Begs CD not to permit any notice by F. P. Cobbe to appear until after next week.

Thanks for copy of Descent.

VOK and his wife walked 25 miles through the Prussian lines to Paris.

Natural history collections undamaged by bombardment, but Edmond Hébert and A. J. Gaudry fear Prussians will rob them.

Several sheets of Descent lost as they passed through the lines.

Discusses publication of Descent. Orders copies of vol. 2 sent to Wallace, Mivart, and F. P. Cobbe.

Will attend Athenaeum and vote for RC.

Thanks CD for copy of Descent. Is considering running for School Board.

Thanks for copy of Descent.