Remarks about an enclosed specimen,

and extract of letter from W. A. L. Marshall [8560].

ARW’s good review of J. C. Houzeau de Lehaie [Études sur les facultés mentales des animaux, in Nature 6 (1872): 469–71].

Supports the abolition of prize fellowships at the universities.

Spiralling of tendrils.

Has worked hard on Drosera.

Is interested in tracing the "nerves" of Dionaea which follow the vascular bundles. Finds he can paralyse half of the leaf by pricking it at a certain point.

Wishes AG to carry out two experiments on D. filiformis.

Has received AG’s Dubuque address [Am. J. Sci. 3d ser. 4 (1872): 282–98].

Condolences on death of JDH’s mother.

Samuel Pozzi has been proposed by C. Martin and Paul Broca as translator of Expression.

First volume of Descent has sold 1200 copies.

Asks for London address of George King [Superintendent of Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta], so he can ask about worm-castings sent by King from S. India. Has just received a splendid letter from John Scott on worms.

Asks where he can buy Dionaea.

Doubts accuracy of Bible translations quoted by CD as evidence that Semitic races blush.

Questions his note on derivation of words like "ugly", "huge", etc.

Lists some mistakes and misprints.

Has not seen CD for about 25 years. Has heard an absurd story that CD and Emma are exploring an unknown part of America.

Has initiated inquiries about Dionaea.

Sends George King’s address.

Acknowledges JS’s excellent letter of 25 September. May CD assume that the gigantic worm-casts were nearly circular when measured before the rain?

That a medical man should always have the place of superintendent seems a piece of jobbery.

Mentions [George] King.

JS’s thin paper renders some words on other side almost illegible.

Asks for address of a Mrs Barber somewhere in South Africa.

JDH’s letter in Nature [6 (1872): 516–17] is excellent, and wonderfully quiet.

Severely criticises Owen’s conduct.

Thanks JVC for his criticisms and corrections of Expression. Asks him to alter his translation accordingly.

Requests the address of F. F. Geach so that he may send him his book [Expression].

Asks to see notes on Indian worm-castings.

Sends Mrs Barber’s address.

Gratified that CD hates Owen. Hopes Owen will not answer Nature letter and draw JDH into controversy. Owen’s letter was not intended for Ayrton to use. Its appearance must have horrified him.

State of Huxley’s health makes JDH uneasy.

Willy is in a stockbroker’s office in London and likes it.

Has finished Expression.

His strength fails more and more; needs to rest every six weeks or so.

Dionaea plants have arrived. Just ready to observe some points in their structure.

Has Murray sent Expression book?

JDH’s particulars about Owen, Ayrton and Co. ("a nice firm") amused CD much.

JVC questions accuracy of Hensleigh Wedgwood’s statement that the word for a toad in all European languages expresses the habit of swelling [see Expression, p. 104]. Has changed "all" to "some".

No summary available.

Requests the address of Frederick Geach so that he may send him his book [Expression].