Examining JDH’s list. CD struck by how many plants are common to Europe, S. America, and Australia.

Wide-ranging species more "improved" than relics in small areas because they exist in large numbers and thus are subject to intense competition.

His abstract is 330 folio pages long so far.

Memorial concerning British Museum collection.

Relation of Cape of Good Hope and Australian flora a great trouble. CD’s high estimation of importance of glacial period for distribution.

Replies at length to JDH’s worried reaction to his comments on lowness of Australian plants. CD distinguishes between "competitive highness", i.e., which fauna would be exterminated and which survive if two faunas were placed in competition, and ordinary "highness" of classification.

Darwin comments that Hooker's letter to ARW is perfect and that he has forwarded it to ARW along with one from himself. Darwin states he had resigned himself to giving up priority regarding evolution by natural selection to ARW but for influence from Lyell and Hooker.

Darwin thanks Hooker for reporting that all went well at the Linnean Society and supports Hooker's suggestion that he (Hooker) write to ARW to "exonerate" Darwin.

Darwin responding to Hooker's request for papers. Darwin seems resigned to not to ARW usurping him regarding the explanation of how and why species change over time, "I daresay all is too late. I hardly care about it.—".

Conveys news of the death of Darwin's baby son. References letters received from Hooker regarding the suggestion that they present ARW's paper and Darwin's writings as a joint paper to the Linnaean Society.

Darwin requests a clean proof (of his abstract?) for ARW.

Darwin tells Hooker he has sent ARW 8 copies of the offprints of Darwin & Wallace (1858).

Darwin requests a clean proof of Darwin and Wallace 1858 to send to ARW.