Glad to hear of MTM’s papers [? "On a peloria and semidouble flower of Ophrys aranifera, Huds.", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 207–11 and "Observations on the morphology and anatomy of the genus Restio, Linn.", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 211–55].

CD doubts the value, for origin of species, of parallels between peloria in "distinct groups".

Gärtner proved the stigma can select its own pollen from a mixture of foreign pollens. But much evidence shows varieties of same species are prepotent over a plant’s own pollen.

MTM’s father [William] believes that variation goes on for a long time once it has commenced.

Sends his photograph.

Asks for any information of well-marked sexual differences in snakes, batrachians, or lizards. The rattlesnakes at the Zoological Garden differ considerably in colour.

Asks AG for details of variation in patterning of the banded snake.

Is "astonished & deeply grieved" at loss [of AG’s wife].

Thanks AG for full answers to queries.

Delighted Mr Ford will undertake drawings [for Descent]; comments on some illustrations he would like.

Delighted with proofs of illustrations [for Descent]. Hopes AG is pleased with them, as they illustrate facts given on his authority.

Invites AG to Down for a weekend with A. Newton, R. Swinhoe, and Hooker.

Expresses his "unbounded admiration" for Mr Ford’s woodcuts [for Descent]. Thanks AG for his kindness.

Thanks for answer to questions.

Has analogous questions on reptiles that he will send to AG. The subject interests him, but CD must try not to fall into his common error of "being too speculative".

Asks AG to identify the species of Triton Mr Ford has drawn.

AG’s help has turned CD’s chapter on fishes and reptiles from "much the worst" into "one of the best" [in Descent].

Invites AG to stay at Down. Winwood Reade and, he hopes, Hooker and Robert Swinhoe will be there.

Sends some questions [missing].

Bad health has prevented him from working for six weeks.

Thanks AG for answer about Galaxias.

Asks him to mention questions about the ears of Mus to other naturalists.

Will send another copy of Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)].

AG has proved Ceratodus to be a "wonderfully interesting creature" ["Descripton of Ceratodus", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 161 (1871): 511–72].

Does not know anything about a supra-condyloid process on the humerus, but would like to see RLT’s paper should he publish on the subject.

Is the horned toad of Oregon a batrachian or a lizard?

Hopes AG will be promoted in the British Museum.

Rejoices at AG’s appointment [as Assistant Keeper at the British Museum].

Thanks AG for Popular Science Review containing his article [on Ceratodus, 11 (1872): 257–66]. CD had already read it with great interest.

CD did not bring any tortoises back from the Galapagos. There may be specimens at the Military Institution in Whitehall.

Sorry AG was unable to lunch with the Darwins during their stay in London.

Thanks AG for information [unspecified]; so trifling an error will not alter his opinion that AG is "the most accurate of men".

Asks AG to sign an enclosure [see 9291].