CD is delighted that JVC will undertake translation of Variation.

Agrees with JVC’s opinion of Haeckel’s book [Generelle Morphologie (1866)]. CD believes it is bad policy for Haeckel to speak so positively about a disputed theory [i.e., CD’s] and particularly regrets the severity of EH’s criticisms of other authors.

Would be great honour to have CV translate Variation, but Schweizerbart has arranged for J. V. Carus to do it.

Has read CV’s Lectures on man [1864] with extreme interest.

Struck by singular clarity of EH’s Generelle Morphologie. Remarks on various authors seem too severe. Severity leads the reader to take the side of the attacked person.

Making slow progress in correcting Variation.

Trail’s case is interesting, hopes it is true.

Has little faith in I. Anderson-Henry’s exactness.

Pleased with Paris exposition.

Agrees with JDH about Anderson-Henry. He has however described in detail a curious case of the ovaria of Rhododendron directly affected by foreign pollen, like the Chamaerops and date-palm case.

Asks CD to decide which translator he would prefer for Variation. JVC frankly thinks Carl Vogt not the best man to introduce CD to the German public, though he has a greater name than JVC.

Vogt now preaches materialism in its most absurd form.

On cost of electrotypes from woodcuts for Variation and price to charge Schweizerbart.

Will send CD a memoir on Les microcéphales [1867]; CV believes microcephalism is an atavistic abnormality.

Recommends H. von Nathusius’ work on domestic pig [Die Racen des Schweines (1860)].

Reassures JVC [who had received the impression that CD would prefer Carl Vogt as translator of Variation].

CD surprised at receipt of an application for a Russian translation.

Sends the revisions in the latest edition of Origin.

Self-sterility in orchids.

Growth differences in plants raised from self- and cross-fertilised seed.

Sends £600 bequeathed by Susan Darwin to CD’s younger children.

Sends Orchis.

Is coming to London.

Asks whether his former pupil, J. J. Moulinié, might translate Variation into French for Reinwald. CV would provide a preface. Encloses letter from Moulinié to Reinwald.

Agrees to use Murray’s stereotypes.

Offers to send rug made from a black Russian bear he shot.

Has sent JDH’s Genera plantarum to Fritz Müller who finds it useful and offers to supply JDH with Brazilian plants.

Describes his view on colour [of plumage] of males and females – i.e., that absence of brilliant colour in either sex is due to need for protection in incubation, rather than to sexual selection.

Sends a root of a wild oat-grass from California and the root of a variety of barley that came from it. Several varieties of barley, all differing from English varieties, came up in the same bed of oat-grass. "The transmutation of a genus seems almost incredible" but TR has seen so many changes he has ceased to doubt strongly.

Comments on ARW’s view of colouring in relation to sexual selection and protection. It is not new to CD. Hopes to discuss subject fully in his "Essay on Man" [Descent]. As to the problem of brightly coloured females, CD is not satisfied that it is due to males taking over incubation. Admires "value and beauty" of ARW’s generalisations.

Letter of introduction to CD for CLB’s friend Robert S. Rowley.