AG’s opinion of Lyell’s Antiquity of man.

Has been in France, conveys good wishes from Quatrefages.

Describes the fossil of an unusual mammal head from Brazil.

Sends CD a form he has devised of a proper genealogical table of three or four generations of the families of medical cases, so that hereditary transmission may be more accurately and fully recorded.

Expresses hope that CD is ready to pronounce sentence on his book;

he relates his financial position and mentions that he hopes to get a position at the British Museum.

CD thinks HBD’s tables would be a considerable gain because "the importance of hereditary transmission can hardly be exaggerated from every point of view". Makes suggestions.

Asks him to send any remarkable cases of inheritance to him and, as well, any case of regrowth of amputated additional digit.

Has not yet read the pamphlets [selection of reviews of Origin, sent by CD at GB’s request]. Though GB does not go so far as Hooker in accepting all of CD’s hypotheses and does not feel up to a thorough discussion of his views, he hopes in his Linnean Anniversary Address [Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. (1863): xi–xxix] to speak on the present state of the [species] question.

Thanks for paper on Linum [Collected papers 2: 93–105].

One of his gardeners [John Scott] is also studying such fertilisation and appreciates CD’s encouragement; Scott has paper to read for Edinburgh Botanical Society.

Disagrees with GB when he says he is not up to treating the whole subject [the present state of the species question]. He is especially equipped to handle the "great subject of affinities in relation to descent and independent creation".

Sent off Corydalis. Observations on Corydalis pistils.

Good of HF to tell him about Brazilian beast. So intermediate a form is "very glorious". Must assume it is very old.

Grieved by Falconer’s and Prestwich’s treatment of Lyell.

Reproductive anatomy of the common ash reminds CD of JDH’s Welwitschia because of its transitional forms.

Pleased JDH encourages Oliver to do orchids.

Is very grateful for CD’s note and return of the bond for £250; promises to repay CD any profits made from those shares, even in the event of DTA’s death.

Is sorry to hear CD is ill.

Observations on Catasetum.

Figs require insects in order to set seed.

Further description of the Toxodon-like mammal, Typotherium.

Thanks for LAR’s book [The land and freshwater mollusks indigenous to, or naturalised in, the British Isles (1863)].

Has obtained fossils from Gibraltar that he believes are human. Requests Lyell’s address so that he can send the bones.

Reminds CD of their acquaintance at Ilkley Wells; encloses portrait of self;

describes the topography, trade, commerce, produce, and population of São Paulo province.

Sends pieces of rock blasted for railway for CD to analyse.

CD’s Linum paper [Collected papers 2: 93–105].

Sending up-to-date railway map of southern region.

Interested in ACR’s Presidential Address [Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 19 (1863): xxix–lii] on the breaks in succession (of formations). Hopes ACR will provide a diagram of breaks, with the percentage of fossils that "pass upwards", i.e., continue to appear.

Horrified at Huxley’s geology.

Wishes ACR would discuss "creeps".

After finishing vol. 2 [of Naturalist on the river Amazons], CD still has only praise. Remarks that his family is also enjoying the book. He regrets having finished, since he so enjoyed the descriptions.