Recommends J. Scott’s paper on crossing varieties of Verbascum.

Beginning of extract from William Dell Hartman’s "Journal of the doings of Cic[ada?] septemdecim" [unidentified] in Pennsylvania in 1851.

Notes on sexual differences within certain species of birds.

Thanks MW for his essay [Die Darwin’sche Theorie und das Migrationsgesetz der Organismen (1868)]. Is highly gratified that MW agrees with him to a considerable extent.

Almost wishes that he could believe in the importance of isolation to the same extent as MW.

Pairing habits of birds: polygamy among ducks and canaries.

Information on the proportion of sexes in fowls and other birds.

Asks to borrow Philosophical Transactions, vol. 157, pt 2 (1868).

A cheque written out for FD has never been presented to CD’s bankers.

Thanks CD for his photograph.

Intends to start experimenting with mosses to determine which differences in structure are effected by altered conditions of life.

CD seeks information on the variation of ocelli within species of butterflies.

Expresses his gratification on reading of Leonard Darwin’s high placing on the Sandhurst list.

Reports making graft-hybrid potatoes.

Has found direct action of pollen in Mays [Zea] crosses and apple-trees.

F. Delpino has asked for CD’s address.

CD has been elected a Corresponding Member of the Biology Section of the Académie Impériale des Sciences, St Petersburg.

Discusses mule canaries which show a tendency to revert to wild plumage colours.

Congratulates FH on graft-hybrid of potato. Importance of FH’s discovery to be discussed in Variation [2d ed., 1: 420].

Sends portion of his book, Grundlegung von Aesthetik [1869]. Argues that CD’s theory can be reconciled with religion.

Thanks for plant names.

H. C. Watson a renegade about natural selection. Discusses HCW’s views.

F. Müller’s letter enclosed.

Friedrich Hildebrand’s experiments are splendid for Pangenesis [Die Geschlechter-Vertheilung bei den Pflanzen (1867)].

Has sent off last portion of index [to Variation]. Hopes CD will be pleased with it. Will never undertake such labour again. He fears it has been an unfavourable way to make CD’s acquaintance. Trusts to CD’s goodness not to hate his name for the rest of his life.

CD exasperated by Dallas’ delay in finishing index [for Variation]. "I am prepared to throw the Index overboard."

Thinks JM should reconsider publishing a translation of Brehm’s Thierleben. It is excellent and would "sell largely".

CD’s anxiety about the index [of Variation] will be relieved somewhat when he learns it has at last been set up.

CD was frustrated by the delay [in producing index for Variation], but was quite mollified by WSD’s note; is sorry the work turned out so badly for him.