Thanks GH for his Theory of the ants [1869] and offers to supply any zoological information that he can.

Is sending Drosera back

and "the curious Kerguelen book".

"Drosera has almost been the death of me."

Hopes the accursed man [Ayrton] does not give JDH any more trouble.

Discusses the coiling of tendrils of climbing plants.

AG’s recent tour of the U. S.

He will send his book [Harvesting ants and trap-door spiders (1873)]. Describes two new types of trap-door spider nests.

Miscellaneous personal matters.

What does CD think of Robert Mallet’s earthquake theory? Would it not account for strata dipping at base of range of mountains?

Has translated half of Expression; is delighted with it. Comments on some points that he questions.

Is at work on concluding part of his handbook of zoology [Handbuch der Zoologie, 2 vols. (1863–75), with A. Gerstaecker].

Discusses JTM’s research on habits of insects. "How incomparably more valuable are such researches than the mere description of a thousand species."

Thanks for "Embryology of the fossil cephalopods", [Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard 3 (1872–4): 59–112].

Regrets error in attributing acceleration concept to E. D. Cope instead of to AH in last edition of Origin, and misrepresentation of their joint view.

Is much vexed about Drosera.

Land-level changes and volcanic activity.

Will consider JVC’s comments on Expression when he prepares a new edition.

Corrects CD’s spelling of the name of a statue: the Arrotino (spelled "Arretino" by CD) [see Expression, p. 184, on grief-muscles].

Much experiment and observation needed before spontaneous generation will be empirically advanced, but philosophically the matter is clear.

Thinks Ludwig Rütimeyer has attacked EH to satisfy pious opinion in Basel.

Will soon be finished with his monograph Die Kalkschwämme [1872].

THF’s article in Nature ["The fertilisation of a few papilionaceous flowers", 6 (1872): 478–80, 498–501] is extremely good.

Suspects he now has answer to why common peas and sweetpeas hardly ever intercross, a point which half drove CD mad for years.

Huxley will be asked to review Expression in Pall Mall Gazette.

Thanks JVC for correcting his blunder on spelling of "Arrotino" [see Expression, p. 184]. "No Frenchman has a greater tendency to spell all proper names wrongly than I have."

WM converted to belief in evolution by experience of museum work.

Describes protective coloration of coots’ eggs.

Suggests possible experiments with Pisum and Lathyrus.

Has read the article CD spoke of; the doctrine of inherited mental and corporeal qualities is most fertile.

Asks permission to translate Expression into German. Will superintend an Italian translation.

Informs CD of hornless fossil Bos etruscus and Miocene fossils of genus Sus [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 505, 521].

CD would have been honoured to have EL translate forthcoming work [Expression], but J. V. Carus is already half way through this task.

Will let CIFM know [probably about John Murray’s terms for an Italian translation of Expression].

Thanks for information about hornless fossil Bos etruscus and Miocene fossils of genus Sus [see Descent, 2d ed., pp. 505, 521].