Comments on paper by JJW ["On insects and insectivorous birds", Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6]. JJW’s verification of A. R. Wallace’s suggestion regarding inheritance is quite a discovery.

Asks for information about male birds migrating before females.

Thanks for MS observations on expression. Discusses hair standing on end in terror and rage. Asks JC-B to observe contraction of platysma myoides. "Your description of the grinning and exposure of the canine teeth under furious rage is excellent. I presume that you would not object to my quoting it." Asks about contraction of "grief muscles". Comments on blushing. Offers to send book by G. B. A. Duchenne [Mécanisme de la physionomie humaine (1862)].

Discusses secondary hoofs in antelope and deer.

Mentions tuft of hair on turkey hen.

Thanks for information about bird migration.

Comments on canary hybridisation.

Asks MS whether he will examine adult mandrills and describe the sexual differences in colouring.

Glad JTM intends to write a paper. Discusses JTM’s research on Arbutus.

CD’s riding accident.

Thanks for information about expression.

Comments on JC-B’s photographs of insane people.

Sends copy of Duchenne [see 6755].

Asks for further information about platysma, his bête noire for a year or two.

The house at Barmouth.

His poor health.

Bentham’s interesting Linnean Society Address ["On geographical biology", Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. (1869): lxv–c].

CD particularly wishes to know how botanists agreed with zoologists on distribution.

Still thinks isolation more important in preserving old forms than Bentham is inclined to believe.

Testimonial letter for ERL, praising his ability, knowledge, and zeal for science.

"My health got so bad I could do nothing at Down".

Gives information about migration of male and female birds.

Thanks for [July 1869] issue of Quarterly Review.

Comments on WO’s paper on Salvia [Pop. Sci. Rev. 8 (1869): 261–73], which he admires.

Thanks him for his excellent observations [on Epipactis?]; would like WED to watch for some large insect visiting the plant.

Simeon Habel of New York has returned from Galapagos. CD has asked him to send any plants to JDH.

Reading Nägeli convinces him that it is all-important to learn all about polymorphic or protean genera for the "Laws of Variability".

New Zealand genera are interesting and have perplexed him for years.

Has read paper on snakes. Thinks it is not fascination but fear that makes the victim fall into snake’s power.

An article in North British Review by mathematician against Hooker and Huxley and for William Thomson [P. G. Tait, "Geological time", North Br. Rev. 50 (1869): 406–39]. Feels a conviction that world will be found older than reviewer makes it.

Article on "Design" [by J. B. Mozley] in Quarterly Review [127 (1869): 134–76].

Has JDH studied Drosophyllum?

Sexual differences in Labidocera darwinii, in Entomostraca, and Myriapoda.

Replies to JDH on Hallett; doubts that already improved varieties do not vary in other respects.

The North British Review article [see 6841] is worth reading "scientifically"; it made CD feel small.

Awaits JDH’s decision on affinities of Drosophyllum and Drosera.

Is curious to see proportion of males to females in recent census in India.

Faraday memorial is an exception.

George [Darwin] has convinced CD that North British Review article is by P. G. Tait [see 6841].

Surprised that leaves of Drosophyllum are always rolled backwards at their tips, but did not know it was unique character.

Will not trouble WCT for more specimens of Drosophyllum. Hooker says genus is closely allied to Drosera, though having such different habits.