"Like you I have often wondered at the different food of the old and young, as with graminivorous birds feeding their young with insects."

Recommends forthcoming book by John Lubbock [Monograph of the Collembola and Thysanura (1873)].

Thanks ACR for papers.

Glad present situation of our continents has been confirmed.

Wishes ACR would prove his view of origin of Red Sandstones, which many dispute.

Has written to Henry Holland in strongest terms. Will be surprised and disappointed if he does not accede to JDH’s request.

CD agitated by JDH’s letter. Forgot to say that he heard Henry Holland was going to Turin. Beseeches JDH not to resign. No one could possibly replace him.

Seeks HH’s support for Hooker in JDH’s difficulties with A. S. Ayrton and the Ministry of Works [see Nature 6 (1872): 211–16].

Writes about proof-correcting by WED [of Origin, 6th ed.].

Explains some proof-correcting symbols to be used by WED [on Origin, 6th ed. proofs?].

JS should not consider repaying CD; the money was a gift, not a loan.

JS’s information on expression is the best he has received.

Asks JC-B to observe whether platysma muscle contracts during rigor or shivering fit.

Is just recommencing his essay on expression.

Is sending some proofs for correction by WED [6th ed. of Origin].

Thanks WED for a correction [to proofs of Origin, 6th ed.].

Asks who Fiske is. The articles [Harvard lectures?] are "so fair and in some respects so complimentary" that CD thinks he should write to him. [See 8058.]

Discusses movement of ears and contraction of the platysma.

Discusses phyllotaxy, citing work of Carl Nägeli and Chauncey Wright.

Is it now thought that the spongioles of rootlets secrete carbonic acid which acts on bones and rocks?

Praises and comments on JL’s essay on insects ["Origin of insects", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. 11 (1873): 422–5].

CD is considering repeating experiments on melastomads in which different pollen sizes produced differing seedling sizes.

Responds to JDH’s query on differences in pollen within the same species.

Requests that PB express his thanks to the Société d’Anthropologie de Paris for the honour conferred upon him [see 8102].

Will be in London until 21st. Would rejoice if JDH could come to lunch during their stay.

Congratulates Horace on passing his "Little Go".

H. Holland keeps strongly to the opinion that Kew be under the Treasury, and will recommend this to Lowe.