Will attempt to draw the two expressions CD wants.

Sends preface of his book [see 8241]; he acknowledges debt to CD, but does not claim to have given a correct exposition of Darwinism.

Discusses Mivart’s reply ["Genesis of species", North Am. Rev. 114 (1872): 451–68] to CW’s review and to Huxley.

Asks whether CD knows anyone to whom he could usefully send a copy of his phyllotaxy paper [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. n.s. 9 (1867–73): 379–415].

Thanks for kindness. BR must not think of trying until he feels inclination and strength for task.

Comments on AW’s work [Einfluss der Isolierung (1872)].

Discusses formation of local races.

Conchologist should investigate whether species of same genus vary during successive geological periods.

Comments on Franz Hilgendorf ["Über Planorbis multiformis", Monatsber. K. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin (1866): 474–504].

Believes sexual selection will be judged a powerful agency.

Reports and asks questions about the offspring from the purported pairing of a woman with an ape.

Delighted to have cloud of darkness removed by CW’s paper on phyllotaxy [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. n.s. 9 (1867–73): 379–415].

Has heard that Mivart will answer CW’s pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)].

Thanks correspondent for an interesting paper [unspecified] and his kind remarks about CD’s work.

CD had forgotten Auguste Comte’s "striking observations" on relations of man to lower animals.

Thanks FCD for information, which will make him "strike out a good deal".

Has received German pamphlet.

Will read work by John Soelberg Wells [? A treatise on the diseases of the eye (1869, 1870)].

Discusses his work on expression.

Asks to borrow "Sölberg Wells, Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye 1869" referred to by F. C. Donders.

Wild plants that live at the edges of civilisation, e.g., forest flowers growing on grazed land, are always reduced in size.

Responds to GdeS’s comments on Descent [see 8246]. Cannot give up belief in close relationship of man to higher Simiae.

Has received two copies of GvS’s Die Darwin’sche Theorie. As he already has a copy, CD will send one to the Royal Society [of London], and the other to the Linnean Society.

Cancel: Diploma, not a letter.

Orders books: J. R. Leifchild, The higher ministry of nature (1872);

Hermann Müller, The application of the Darwinian theory to flowers [(1872?), reprint from Am. Nat. 5 (1871): 271–97];

and a review by J. B. Hunter.

On new [6th] edition of the Origin; comments on additions.

Owen’s attitude toward evolution.

Has acquired some French frogs, Rana esculenta, which have mated with R. temporaria, but the spawn has not developed.

Asks whether anyone has successfully crossed frogs and toads.

JS’s valuable observations on worms in India along with Asa Gray’s in the United States confirm CD’s opinion that worms work in the same way all over the world. Requests further information on the subject.

Thanks AGC for some notes and his book [Darwinism refuted by researches in psychology (1872)].

Suggests FL and Dr Maudsley come to Down via Chislehurst.