Lists specimens he wants from Mr Janson, emphasising that he always wants male and female.

He extends an invitation for a Sunday in early June.

Kind to send seeds of Aquilegia Brodii. Gives news on her sons. Glad of recent rain to help the hay.

Does not think the supposed cow–deer hybrid worth investigating.

John Robinson [the curate at Down] reported to be walking with girls at night.

CD gets so many foolish letters from foolish people he has little heart to write to friends.

Gives Down news.

R. H. Hutton, editor of the Spectator, is a clever man.

CD has been much abused, praised, and chaffed by newspapers lately.

CD’s anxiety about being examined in court if Horsman [former curate at Down] brings suit. He doubts it will happen, but if so will defend himself to utmost.

Has pleasant recollections of his relations with JBI.

CD’s health has been poor.

Appreciates JBI’s letter and his expression of friendship.

In the opinion of a Q.C., Horsman has no case.

Interested in occurrence of hair on backs of weakly children. Asks PBM if he would report particulars of any case he observes during next 6–12 months.

Not surprised that JBI does not agree with him. Many professed naturalists do not. But there has been a great change since publication of Origin, and CD believes agreement on man will come soon, "as far as his corporeal frame is concerned".

Horsman has not been heard from.

Discusses HD’s information that same species of birds at remote stations have identical parasites. Urges him to investigate N. American land-bird parasites.

Is deeply interested in everything connected with geographical distribution, and the differences between species and varieties.

The cat exhibition might provide information on unusual breeds of cats and their inheritance.

Expresses interest in deafness of white, blue-eyed cats.

Thanks for a quarto work on the mining industry. CD’s sons much obliged for kindness in California.

Asks for the negative and permission to publish photo of smiling girl. [Expression, p. 202, plate III, fig. 2.]

Comments on FG’s description of a séance at the house of William Crookes.

Will use FG’s words about [H. M. Butler’s] hereditary habit [in Expression, p. 33 n. 8].

Encloses a statement and circular he has been asked to send to JL.

Encourages FG to carry out investigation [of spiritualism]. However, his own health is too uncertain to accept Daniel Dunglas Home’s offer. Discusses possibility of reproducing Crookes’s apparatus for sale.

Orders sulphuric ether, nitric ether, chloroform, and prussic acid [for Drosera experiments? See Insectivorous plants, pp. 209, 219].

Much obliged for GHK and MHC’s General glaciation [of Iar-Connaught (1872)].

Will be in London for a week. Invites ARW to lunch.

Recommends H. Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873).

Thanks for assistance. He will write fully to Wallace tomorrow.