GHD’s article will not do. It is too long and the denial seems weak and confused; also, it ought to be in the form of a letter to the editor. Encloses draft of the sort of letter of denial he thinks GHD should write.

Thanks JDH for his and Huxley’s countering of the false attack on George [Darwin] by Mivart. Encloses a note to Mivart on which he asks JDH’s opinion.

CD wishes to acquire a piece of JL’s land.

Asks for a specimen of Pinguicula.

Returns and sends comments on Clarke Hawkshaw’s essay ‘The persistence of forms of life in the depths of the sea’.

Although he formed a high opinion of one of the correspondent’s papers, regrets that he could not presume to give an opinion of the merits of a candidate in chemistry.

Asks FD to come early to write from dictation.

Thanks Amy for her drawing of Utricularia montana.

Regrets that a cut [for Descent] does not do justice to TWW’s original drawing and if it cannot be improved then CD will have to omit it. [Refers to fig. 60 in Descent (1874).]

Regrets the trouble GHD has had.

Requests help for George Darwin’s investigation of marriages of first cousins. Seeks to determine proportion of first-cousin offspring among the insane, deaf and dumb, blind, etc.

Thanks JDH for Asa Gray’s interesting letter.

Would like JDH’s copy of Coral reefs. Needs it for corrections for a new edition. Cannot buy one.

CD is glad Horace has done "pretty well" in his examination.

Smith and Elder will publish new edition of Coral reefs [1874]; thanks HD for aid.

Reports on a séance. "The Lord have mercy on us all if we have to believe in such rubbish."

Asks JDH to vote for his nephew, Henry Parker, for Athenaeum membership.

Prefaces Fritz Müller’s observations on termites and stingless bees [see 9281].

Asks HBT to sign certificate [for Royal Society] for Robert Swinhoe.

Thanks for HHHvZ’s translation of Expression. CD will have HHHvZ’s notes translated by one of his sons.

Has been waiting several months for a microscope objective and would like it without delay.

Writes concerning the land he wishes to purchase from Sir John Lubbock.

CD guessed Carruthers was stirred up by Owen. Disgraceful treatment of Bentham.

Work on Descent and Coral reefs stops his doing anything of real interest.

Asa Gray’s letter. CD has acknowledged the honour [honorary membership in the Boston Soc. Nat. Hist.].

"What a demon on earth Owen is. I do hate him."

On digestive powers of Drosera and those of higher animals.

Comments on expression on two halves of human face.

Responds to TLB’s views of serpent- and fire-worship.

Poison of venomous snakes.