In the name of a student science club, asks whether CD’s theory of evolution applies to mental as well as physical characteristics of men and animals. Asks whether animals have free-will like humans. Do animals have a sense that humans lack?

JM will be pleased to publish the new work [Forms of flowers] on the usual terms. MS has been sent to the printer.

Comments on various species of Lagerstroemia.

In the series of opium poppy intercrosses made at CD’s suggestion, JS has learned that the reason they failed to intercross was the absence of insects at the period of their flowering.

CD made a Foreign Member of the Zeeland Scientific Society at Middelburg.

Sends specimens of Saxifraga tridactylites with insects caught by it. Asks if colour of leaves attracts insects.

Has heard CD is about to be proposed again for the Académie Française, but Huxley is proposed at the same time and may succeed against CD "as being more orthodox!"

Offers key to CD’s theory: fern roots are like little grubs.

Claims to have crossed the Australian Alps where Dr Müller [Ferdinand von Mueller?] failed.

Sends abnormal pig’s foot. Does abnormality occur often?

Thanks CD for helping his successful candidacy for F.R.S.

He is working up Arctic insects. Bombus is found at 83° N., as far north as has been reached.

Grateful for CD’s support for his election as F.R.S.

Explains why he did not add his photograph to the album presented by German naturalists to CD. Instead he wishes to dedicate to CD his work on the vertebrate-type eyes on the back of some Mollusca. [Enclosed is a MS introduction to this work, Über Sehorgane von Typus der Wirbelthieraugen auf dem Rücken von Schnecken.].

Is sorting material collected by the Challenger and wonders whether CD would care to examine the cirripedes.

Discusses abnormal pig’s foot sent to him by CD.

Can CD explain why house sparrows persist in trying to build a nest in a spot from which it is daily removed?

French translation of Insectivorous plants published.

Climbing plants has not sold well.

Discusses the structure of the human cranium, in particular a find by Cocchi and observations by Canestrini.

Cambridge University will offer CD an honorary degree.

Offers a supplementary component to sexual selection which CD ignored in Descent: the direct effect of differences in ardour between males and females.

Has read a German author’s exposition of CD’s theory.

Believes "missing link" between higher mammals and man consists of a race of "speaking monkeys" – akin to Africans – who pollute blood of better race and impede civilisation.

Is less certain of views in letter of 17 May [10963]. Asserts interest in explaining the presence of "speaking monkeys", which occur in higher as well as lower classes.