Is leaving tonight for Genoa;

sends a French paper [not identified].

Brief observations on expression in Africa.

Alexander Agassiz is a good investigator, who differs with his father on evolution.

The behaviour of women and savages is a little easier to understand than that of civilised men.

CD should soon receive woodcuts.

R. A. v. Kölliker would much like to visit CD.

"Your financial operations excite my envy beyond words." Reports on stock just received.

The mark he had thought a variation is not, and he thinks his infusion still too small even when the blood is defibrinised.

Writes of some observations on the Sandwich Islands.

Arranges to come to Down with R. A. v. Kölliker.

Would like to visit CD at Down.

[Fourth] German edition of Origin will be out in a few weeks.

Regrets he cannot come to Down on day suggested.

Asks CD to look at the "special phylogonies" on pp. 138 and 152 of his book [Forms of animal life (1870)]. His comments are based on reading Haeckel, who is highly speculative and quite wrong.

Italian translation [of Variation] is delayed, but printing should begin soon.

Will send CD one of his writings in which he defends the natural descent of man [Origin dell’uomo, 2d ed. (1870)].

CD’s theory is making great progress in Italy and daily gains supporters.

Is not prepared to express an opinion on man’s origin. On pure anatomical grounds he would form a family of the higher division of the primates, but if man’s intellectual, moral, and religious nature is considered, then "he differs more from an Anthropoid Ape than such an Ape differs from a lump of granite".

Sends insect that carries dead ants, dead leaves, etc., on its back, as protective imitation.

Apologises for saying more than was necessary in his previous letter. Although he feels gratitude and esteem for CD, he execrates those who use natural selection to oppose man’s higher interests and impede his advance. Has seen Huxley’s Man’s place in nature for sale among a crowd of obscenities at most Italian railway stations.

Aggressive behaviour of dogs and horses.

Rabbits still running true; hopes to increase alien blood to 30%.

Will send deerhound puppy.

Is critical of Herbert Spencer.