Many thanks for Expression. AG relates some relevant observations, the significance of which had previously escaped him.

Agrees the rabbit experiment has gone on long enough, but would like one more litter.

Appreciation [of Expression]. ARW will review it in Quarterly Journal of Science [n.s. 3 (1873): 113–18].

The Michelets are ill and dispirited.

Has just read Origin and Descent and wants to know: 1. Has man a soul? 2. Is man morally responsible "to his creative cause or force"? 3. Is there any form of after-life?

Thanks CD for Expression. Disagrees with his views on the genesis of melody; HS gives some reasons for believing it to originate in the natural cadences of emotional speech.

Horns of female reindeer disappear after their calves are dropped [see Descent, 2d ed., p. 503].

Lemmings in Norway.

Agrees to translate Expression into Italian.

Has sent printed reports on his lectures relating to the descent of man [missing].

Discusses his theories on heredity and on the "soul" as the governor of mental and physical development.

Proposes establishing a quarterly journal for longer, illustrated articles of some popular appeal. Seeks CD’s support.

Thanks for Expression.

J. J. Moulinié’s translations of Descent and Origin required much reworking, which accounts for delays.

Thanks for copy of Expression.

Thanks for Expression, which he received through Asa Gray.

Relates some personal experiences of unconscious sympathy.

Has read a review of Expression and finds CD’s explanation of "antithesis" [see Expression, p. 50] unsatisfactory. Proposes a theory of upward lines expressing energy and downward lines expressing the reverse.

Acknowledges presentation copy [of Expression], which is not to be found in the market.

Interested in CD’s opinion of her article ["The consciousness of dogs", Q. Rev. 133 (1872): 419–51].

Hopes she may see CD at Queen Anne St [home of E. A. Darwin].

Asks for an autographed copy of Expression.

Is reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas of life [1872]: "One of the most eloquent books I ever read".

Owen’s communications are doing incalculable mischief to science in the eyes of Government officials. "This ignorant, careless, unobservant government."

The Nature editors, J. N. Lockyer and Bennett, blame each other for printing Owen’s letter.

Huxley looks wretched.

More stories about dog behaviour.

No need to apologise for not quoting AH’s paper on acceleration and retardation.

Agassiz introduced AH to ammonites and entrusted collection to him. Has followed developmental history of each species and placed them within geological formations. Found evolutionary history of species recapitulated only to a degree in individual development. Stages frequently skipped. Explains why young of later animals are like adults that preceded them. Retardation entirely idea of Edward Drinker Cope. Sends paper to explain it. Acceleration can explain degraded forms. Often like youthful stage with which series began. Often resemble old age of earlier series. Regularity of these series incompatible with natural selection. How can selection account for degraded final stages or for predictability of development? Franz Hilgendorf’s Paludinae from Steinheim lake show same parallelism in development. May be possible to reconcile this with selection. But Trochiformis begins to show degradation in beds where it is most numerous and has largest individuals, i.e., where selection seems to be favouring it. Will work on Steinheim shells this winter.