Would like to hear results of JM’s November booksale.

JM reports 1900 [advance] copies of Descent were taken at his annual sale,

and 340 copies of Origin [5th ed.] were sold.

Sheets for Dutch publisher will be sent to CD immediately. JM cautions against possibility that Dutch edition will anticipate the English.

Thanks WO for information on platysma, which he did not know could be brought into voluntary action. Is coming to believe it has nothing to do with expression.

On the relation between white colouring and susceptibility to poisonous plants, CD suggests WO send his paper to J. Wyman and propose he investigate whether white as well as black pigs will eat paint-root.

Pleased at [advance] sale [of Descent]. Suggests 3000 copies be printed. Corrections are frightful and, CD fears, will not be done until end of year.

Observations on winter colour of coats of male and female elk,

spots on deer,

and tuft of hair on breasts of wild female turkeys.

Has heard "sad tales" about CD’s forthcoming book [Descent]; does not think even CD can persuade him his ancestors were apes.

Reports case of apparent incipient dimorphism. Observations on variations in flower structure, especially style length, within species of Polemoniaceae.

Sends two sheets [of Descent] for correction of names of birds. PLS will save him many disgraceful misspellings. Descent now being prepared in five foreign editions.

Praise for ARW’s reply [Nature 3 (1870): 49–50] to a paper by A. W. Bennett ["Natural selection from a mathematical point of view", Nature 3 (1870): 30–3] holding that mind is a leading cause of variation.

Is reading proof of his "confounded book" [Descent].

Sofya Kovalevsky not admitted to University in Berlin.

Translating the four sheets CD sent. When will book [Descent] be printed?

Alexander [Kovalevsky] has gone to the Red Sea to study corals.

Will work on live Scalpellum at Naples in spring.

Bemoans England’s Prussian sympathies. Paris will fall without bombardment.

On a good criticism of ARW’s views [North Am. Rev. (1870)].

Problems of establishing a permanent residence.

His Presidential Address for Entomological Society will answer A. Murray on geographical distribution of Coleoptera.

Bran [deerhound puppy] is thriving; enjoys English life.

Concerning the Dutch edition of Descent.

A recommendation for George Cupples who has applied for a government pension: "I have corresponded with him on scientific subjects during several years. On some very intricate points he has been so kind as not only to collect, at the cost of much trouble, information from various sources, but has likewise made for me valuable observations".

Encloses a few answers to CD’s queries on expression. Continues to observe the expressions and habits of the Malays, Dyaks, and Saribus tribes [See Expression, pp. 21, 209].

Is pleased to hear that the translator for the Dutch edition [of Descent] is a person so well qualified [see 7384]. He encloses a facsimile of the title page. Reports arrangements with John Murray.

John Lubbock has nearly finished his Thysanura book [Monograph of the Collembola and Thysanura (1873)].

Returns, with thanks, a copy of JL's father's [John William Lubbock] work on lunar theory, and compliments JL on his own writings on prehistoric man.

JH may recall meeting him at the Cape in March 1836. Now had a query regarding the size and limits of zodiacal light. Quotes case of errors in observations made by the Captain and Mate of a ship on which RN was returning from the Cape. Has now retired from the service.

Acknowledging receipt of JH's Slough catalogues. Further news regarding the publication of Professor O. M. Mitchel[l]'s Observations.