Sends thanks for election to American Philosophical Society.

Was gratified "beyond measure" by AN’s comments on his pigeon chapter [in Variation] in the [Zoological] Record [5 (1868): 94–6]. AN is the first man capable of forming a judgment who seems to have thought anything of this part.

Encloses his letter to GJ [6885], which was returned.

Comments on effects of prussic acid on different individuals of the same species and other physiological research by WP.

Provides information about his studies in Edinburgh and Cambridge and qualifications he had for Beagle voyage. Describes influence of R. E. Grant and J. S. Henslow.

Invites WDF to visit.

Describes activities of his children.

Has read the notes on Rond [Round] Island which he owes to JDH. What an enigma its flora and fauna present, especially the problem of monocotyledons! Asks JDH’s opinion.

A new book on St Helena confirms CD’s observations.

Thanks for sending him a hybrid.

Thanks JO for his The Andes and the Amazon.

Is sorry he has failed to get any information on the horse’s tooth.

Congratulations [on election to Parliament]; hopes science will not suffer because of politics.

Previously wrote inquiring about savages and suicide, but JL need not hurry to answer.

Responds to her suggested corrections [of Descent].

Sends MS [of chs. 3 and 4, "Comparison of the mental powers of man and the lower animals", Descent] to HED for her criticism. CD fears parts are too much like a sermon; "who wd ever have thought I shd turn parson?"

Would like to call at 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning.

Would like to see JDH become Sir J. H. Does not think JDH owes his position in science to his father.

Sends questions on Round Island – if JDH should write [to Henry Barkly?].

Has he read Federico Delpino on Marantaceae [Nuovo G. Bot. Ital. 1 (1869): 293–206]?

Interested that HM is studying structure of insects in relation to flowers.

The "man-essay" [Descent] is "very interesting but very difficult".

Cat-like behaviour in dogs.

Thanks for information from Louis Agassiz;

wishes he could feel he deserves what Alexander Agassiz says of him.

CD much interested by ERL’s book [On comparative longevity (1870)]. Is pleased to find ERL refers to CD’s "despised child" Pangenesis, and is also pleased how thoroughly ERL appreciates Herbert Spencer, a philosopher perhaps equal to any that has lived.

CD thinks JJW’s account [in 7137] is significant for a theory of generation and should go to some scientific society; suggests additional data is needed. Quotes cases of subsequent progeny apparently affected by a previous impregnation. Perhaps not prudent to allude to "despised" Pangenesis, which CD fully believes will have its day.

JC-B’s essays are the fullest CD has received. His observations on blushing closely agree with James Paget’s. Platysma and horror: Duchenne’s statement doubtful.

Thinks the German publisher would not object to publishing quotations from CD’s works, unless it was a whole chapter.

Fears the development of bird wings will prove a very difficult subject.

Has read and enjoyed the Kant that FPC sent.

Returns P. C. Despine [?Psychologie naturelle (1868)].