Congratulates CD on testimonials from the savants of Germany and the Netherlands [Nature 15 (1877): 356, 410–12] and generally on his contributions to biology.

Asks if and when CD’s "Variability of organic beings in a state of nature", as projected in 1868 [see Variation 1: 4] is to appear.

[Copy of some rough notes.] References about species. Variations within species.

Has read Origin and considers it one of the most valuable contributions to present-day natural history. Believes, however, that there are difficulties in the extensive generalisation that all taxonomic groups are related by descent. Does not understand how Genesis is to be read unless at least the human species was created independently of other animals. Cannot bring himself to the idea that man’s reasoning and moral sense could have been obtained from "irrational progenitors": the "Divine Image" is the unsurmountable distinction between man and brutes. [See 2644.]

Thanks CD for his contribution to the memoir of Henslow [L. Jenyns, Memoir of the Rev. John Stevens Henslow (1862)].

Sends proof-sheets of CD’s contribution to LJ’s Memoir of Henslow.

Pleased with CD’s opinion of the Henslow Memoir [L. Jenyns, Memoir of the Rev. John Stevens Henslow (1862)]

On polygamous birds and the pairing of birds. Late singing of males. [see Descent 2: 107.]

LJ has had a letter from R. T. Lowe in Madeira who thinks Scorpaena histrio, a species from Galapagos described in no. 1 [of Fish], is the same as the one in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. LJ does not think it is possible.

Sends his notes on Florent Prévost’s reference to the habits of the cuckoo.

Comments on LJ’s Observations [in natural history (1846)].

Discusses variation among British birds, and the conflicting treatment of bird species by C. W. L. Gloger and C. L. Brehm.

Describes collecting incident of his student days involving Carabus.

Mentions squirrels eating insects.

Astonished to hear of terrestrial Planaria.

Comments on BAAS meeting in Southampton.

Acknowledges receipt of [The naturalist’s pocket] almanack edited by LJ. Suggests some improvements.

CD doubts that he will be able to do much more that is new, but cannot bear idleness. Has great amount of material on variation under nature, but so much has been published since the appearance of the Origin that he doubts he has the power of mind to render the mass into a digested whole.

Thanks LJ for his book [Observations in meteorology (1858)].

CD has been working on his species book [Natural selection].

Has become dreadfully heterodox on immutability of species.

His work on pigeons: variation under domestication throws the greatest light on variation in a state of nature.

Asks LJ to lend him a copy of his paper ["Variation of species", Rep. BAAS 26 (1856): 101–5] and any notes or references he has. Although CD has a large accumulation of facts, it is impossible to see and consider too many.

His health is poor.

Thanks LJ for his MS [of "Variation of species", Rep. BAAS 26 (1856): 101–5].

Will read it at his hydropathic establishment [Moor Park], where he is going for a rest.

Returns MS [of "Variation of species"]; several facts were new to him, especially interested in wagtails.

Wishes he could swallow Florent Prévost on sparrows ["Du régime alimentaire des oiseaux", C. R. Hebd. Acad. Sci. 46 (1858): 136–8].

LJ’s facts seem to bear out CD’s conclusion that secondary sexual characters were most variable of all.

Explains how he intends to deal with variation, and general facts in natural history in the light of species theory. Can only afford one chapter on variation in nature. It seems more important to make out variation in domestic animals.

Asks for facts on birds’ nests for his chapter on instincts.

Invites criticisms of his book [Origin] which is "only an abstract & very much condensed". Knows LJ will not agree with the lengths to which CD goes. It took long years to convert CD, but he cannot persuade himself "that a theory which explains … several large classes of facts, can be wholly wrong".

Hopes to publish his full MS if he ever gets strong enough.

Thanks LJ for his letter on Origin. Finds LJ agrees with him more than CD had expected.

Discusses problems of geological record, single primordial form, and man.

CD has sent to printer proofs of his contribution to Memoir of Henslow.

Discusses possibility of publishing the zoology of the voyage of the Beagle. Will need help from more able naturalists. Would LJ object to describing the fishes for such a work rather than for scientific journals? Is working on his Beagle journal.