Response to letter about dedication of Malay Archipelago and several scientific papers.

Changes in 5th ed. of Origin.

Now feels individual differences of paramount importance. Fleeming Jenkin has convinced him about "single variations".

No paradox that unimportant characters are important systematically. This view removes heavy burden from CD’s shoulders. Relief that JDH does not object.

Thanks JO for intending to dedicate his The Andes and the Amazon to him.

The discovery of marine shells high up the Amazons CD finds extremely interesting.

Has heard that book by Alphonse M[ilne]-Edwards [? Recherches anatomiques et paléontologiques, 4 vols. (1867–71)] is excellent.

Asks when horns appear on young male fallow deer.

Thanks JP for his book Vesuvius [1869].

Thanks CC for two memoirs [see 6575. The other was possibly "Die Cypris-ähnliche Larve der Cirripedien", Schr. Ges. Beförd Naturw. Marburg (1869)].

Haeckel is too enthusiastic and too bold in drawing conclusions.

CD sees no reason to add to what he says on isolation, in new edition of Origin.

Lists specimens he has available for CC’s intended study of metamorphoses of Lepas.

Returns book with thanks. "Joyfully accepts" idea of the warming of Southern Hemisphere during glacial period in the Northern. Lyell is unwilling.

Mentions H. N. Moseley’s study of descent of glaciers [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

CD greatly troubled by problem of age of the earth and calculations of Sir William Thomson. Asks about changes in the form of the globe.

Statement of sum due from Rev. Robinson "On account of School".

CD expressed himself badly. F. Jenkin’s argument was against single variations ever being perpetuated.

Discusses case of tailless dogs.

Does not intend to follow up work on variation under domestication.

Asks for specimen of Drosophyllum from Portugal.

Asks JM to grant permission for a French translation of his "Naturalist’s voyage" [Journal of researches].

Received and read ACR’s Physical geology. Places him at head of the subaeria denudationists. Unfortunately CD confounded William Whitaker’s article with ACR’s views and gave Whitaker credit for first producing the evidence. Will rectify it now. Has eliminated the rubbish he wrote on the Weald and will add a paragraph on importance of subaerial denudation.

Repeats request for information on colours of plumage of poultry breeds and asks for WBT’s facts on proportions of sexes.

Thanks JVC for his information (from two correspondents) on the rate of growth of merino rams’ horns.

CD has been revising Origin [5th ed.]. Has found a good deal to alter.

Consoling to CD that JC gives "a little more age to the world".

Cites article by Henry Moseley ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].

Mentions article by A. R. Clarke on shape of the globe.

Asks for DF’s observations on the Aymara Indians for use in writing manuscript [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 34–5].

Honoured to be mentioned with Alexander von Humboldt, who was an inspiration to him.

Asks whether JL would be prepared to sign a petition on behalf of Miss Eliza Meteyard who is seeking a civil list pension.

CD signed the petition, had Sir Charles Lyell do so also, and then forwarded the memorial to Sir John Lubbock.

Gives his opinion of Rolla Charles Meadows Rouse, who is tutoring Horace Darwin in mathematics.

Has not heard that Horace has a chance of a minor scholarship.