Thinks there is no particular interest in the abnormality in question.

Also CD has looked at several flowers and believes WDC may be mistaken in believing there is a rudimentary anther cell.

Sends proofs of his preface [to EK’s Erasmus Darwin], with which he is disappointed. Suggests additions and improvements he would like to make.

Relieved to hear that EK approves of his notice [preface for Erasmus Darwin]. Is reflecting on idea that it might appear after EK’s article as "an additional or supplementary notice".

Grieved to hear that Grant Allen has been accused of plagiarism.

Is inclined to publish his "notice" after EK’s text in Erasmus Darwin. May condense and alter it, so EK should not translate yet. As soon as Dallas finishes translating EK’s text, CD will set to work. Thinks EK’s article more interesting than what he has written.

Thanks for JF’s book [Darwinism and other essays (1879)].

Thanks JF again for his Essays, which he has now read.

CD is relieved by EK’s response to his criticisms. Will attend to all his instructions and will not print his preface until EK has seen it.

Urges EK to do as he thinks best about German edition of Erasmus Darwin. CD sends original of EK’s essay and translation of parts he has not used.

Agrees to EK’s proposals [for publishing Erasmus Darwin]. Will send sheets to Paris, but is not sure there will be a French translation.

CD complains of unfair treatment by EK’s publisher [of Erasmus Darwin, Karl Alberts], who has written that he now does not want the copies of the photographs CD has ordered for him. Is sure that EK will agree that the costs should be deducted from any profits from the sales.

Only a few copies of the photographs [for German edition of Erasmus Darwin] had been printed, so loss will not be great. CD was rather angry when he wrote [12291] "but it is all over now".

Answers EK’s questions. Sorry to report Erasmus Darwin sold only 600 copies at advance sale.

Has read and enjoyed the Kant that FPC sent.

Returns P. C. Despine [?Psychologie naturelle (1868)].

Discusses flora of Sandwich Isles. "There is nothing I shd enjoy so much as to visit California, but I am growing old & my health is weak".

CD writes for Emma, who is ill.

Delighted with FPC’s "most just" article [in Echo?]. Sends £1 subscription.

Thanks for telling CD about the Fraser’s Magazine article [F. W. Farrar, "Hereditary genius (by F. Galton)", n.s. 2 (1870): 251–65].

CD wrote as Justice of Peace for Kent to the Home Secretary about Holder’s case.

Tropaeolum transmits every shade of colour if self-fertilised for six or seven generations.

Thanks JF for his lectures, the arguments of which he finds very forcible; is glad to see JF has detected the falseness of much of Mivart’s reasoning.

Asks FW to thank F. P. Cobbe for her liberal offer, but the differences [between Descent and Cobbe’s review "Darwinism in morals", Theol. Rev. 33 (1871): 167–92] are too fundamental to be reconciled.

FPC’s article on consciousness of dogs is best analysis of an animal’s mind CD has read.

Regrets she quotes [Edward?] Jesse.

Since writing Descent, CD has come to believe dogs have a conscience.

Formally declines the vice-presidency of a proposed society.

CD is glad to hear of nature of JF’s work;

proposes that JF call when CD comes to London.

Has read JF’s attack on Agassiz ["Agassiz and Darwinism"] in Popular Science Monthly [3 (1873): 692–705].