Thanks ACR for papers.

Glad present situation of our continents has been confirmed.

Wishes ACR would prove his view of origin of Red Sandstones, which many dispute.

CD would like to see the Prion [see 8016]. May he immerse the head in warm water so as to open the beak? Directions for sending the parcel.

Thanks HS for the preface to the 3d edition [of Die Thierzucht (1872)].

Has purchased H. von Nathusius’ work [? Vorträge über Viehzucht und Rassenkenntniss, Th. 1 (1872)]; feels he has ignored all that CD has attempted to make out with respect to domesticated animals.

JDH’s servant carries his letter to Henry Holland about problems with Ayrton. Suggests servant take CD’s letter to Holland to town and post them at same time. Holland is said to be very intimate friend of Gladstone.

Has written to Henry Holland in strongest terms. Will be surprised and disappointed if he does not accede to JDH’s request.

CD agitated by JDH’s letter. Forgot to say that he heard Henry Holland was going to Turin. Beseeches JDH not to resign. No one could possibly replace him.

JDH has no intention of resigning. Thinks W. E. Gladstone would rather see Ayrton turned out than himself. Gladstone knows JDH has friends who would be troublesome. Only moral and political cowardice of Cabinet keeps Ayrton in office.

Lyell is much altered since autumn.

Has CD read Charles Martins’ paper on the glacial origin of the tourbières of the Jura [Arch. Sci. Phys. & Nat. 42 (1871): 286–308]?

John Scott has an admirable series on horticulture in Bengal ["Notes on horticulture in Bengal", J. Agric. & Hortic. Soc. India 2 (1871) pt 1: 241–96; 3 (1872) pt 1: 1–82].

Seeks HH’s support for Hooker in JDH’s difficulties with A. S. Ayrton and the Ministry of Works [see Nature 6 (1872): 211–16].

Glad CD agrees with his views as much as he does. Not surprised that his red rocks [Red Sandstones] ideas are disputed. The red marls of Auvergne support his inland water theory.

Has read in papers about CD’s forthcoming work [Expression]; sends anecdote about a dog visiting a dentist for relief of a toothache – thus showing "moral courage".

Explains further N. S. Shaler’s view [see 8015] on rattlesnake habits as consistent with natural selection: the rattle attracts rather than alarms its prey.

Sends specimen of Prion.

Discusses beaks of flamingo and other birds.

Comments on function of lamellae.

JF’s indebtedness to Herbert Spencer. [Published version complete.]

Gives possible explanation for retention of horns throughout the winter by female reindeer.

Work on Atlantis.

Very glad to see Prion. [See 8029.]

CD offers OS upper and lower beaks of various ducks and geese if they are of interest to him.

Thanks for information about male Seychelles islanders.

Glad CW has written on phyllotaxy [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. n.s. 9 (1867–73): 379–415].

Sure that CW’s pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)] will do cause good service.

Grateful for kindness to sons in America.

Sends CD some more ducks’ skins so that he can examine the lamellae.

Details of the JDH–Ayrton–Gladstone imbroglio.

Is sending some lectures as a sign of his society’s respect for CD and his work.