Belated thanks to CL for copy of Elements. Praises CL’s work. Notes especially Atlantic continents, the Weald, the Purbeck beds, glacial action, and the formation of lake-basins.

Also mentions account of Heer’s work

and CD’s disagreement with J. D. Forbes.

Suggests that CL have Murray print a two-volume edition [of the Elements].

Wants his fowl MS.

Will shortly return WBT’s skulls.

Will arrive Saturday [4 Mar] on afternoon train.

Sends his paper on "Willow-galls" [Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia 3 (1864): 543–644].

Lengthy criticism of Agassiz’s views on species as stated in his Essay on classification [1857].

Interested by CD’s trimorphism in Lythrum. Thinks some great mystery may lie in the fact that in some genera, some species are tri-, some di-, and some monomorphic, and in other genera, Apis, Vespa, Bombus, all the known species are dimorphic.

Asks for return of page about pigeon crossing.

Requests a postponement of payment on a note for £100.

Thanks CD for his consideration in meeting his convenience respecting the payment of the £100.

Thomas Thomson has gone over Scott’s paper; encloses his conclusions. Not fit for publication in present form. His experiments should have been repeated to resolve his disagreement with Gärtner.

Admires Origin, but CD does not consider hereditary law of use and disuse.

Will return page on pigeons.

Has concluded his crossing experiments and found no trace of hybrid sterility or loss of fertility.

The Field is publishing a series of papers on different pigeon varieties [24 (1864): 366, 395, 459; 25 (1865): 115, 139, 155, 228, 258].

Asks for WBT’s help in arranging for woodcuts to illustrate pigeon chapters of Variation.

Is pleased to hear of Dr Heine’s interest in Origin. Questions whether Dr Heine’s law of inheritance can be demonstrated.

Encloses some poultry feathers.

Will read over and return CD’s MS on fowls. Has been delayed by an eye injury.

Thanks for Thomson’s and JDH’s views on Scott’s paper. Will send it back with advice and explanations.

Introduces Cholmondely Pennell of the Admiralty, who wants to speak to CD about a literary matter.

CD’s statement in Origin that clover is utterly dependent on humble-bee for fertilisation has been questioned by his friend’s evidence of visits by other insects. Asks CD’s opinion.

Has heard from Mr Pennell, and written to say too ill to see him. Would like to hear about skin between toes of otter hounds in comparison with other hounds.

JL’s MS at printer’s [Prehistoric times (1865)].

Apologises for failure to post letter.

Expresses pleasure at signs of CD’s recovery.

HWB’s work on the identification of species of the genus Colobthea; relates the large number of modifications that occur in the sexual organs of closely allied species. Does not doubt that this contributes greatly to multiplication of species in nature.

Thanks CD for subscribing to the Cybele Hibernica.

Reports some observations made on the common buffaloes of India seen swimming and diving in 12ft of floodwater in order to crop the herbage beneath.