Thanks WO for his reply to letter of 26 March. Has tried several people and platysma seemed to act, but it is difficult to observe when they shudder.

Effects of first impregnation on litters from subsequent pregnancies.

Power of selective breeding to produce different varieties.

Answers to CD’s queries will take time. CD may not be aware of the influence of accommodation on the diameter of the pupil of the eye. Parrots, for example, contract or dilate the pupil independently of amount of light [see Expression, p. 304]. Sends his book on the subject [On the anomalies of accommodation and refraction of the eye (1864)].

Asks whether capillary circulation is ever influenced by the mind’s being directed intently to any part of the body.

Has JC-B ever seen idiots blush? JC-B’s MS on blushing is capital.

Note on errata in first volume of Descent.

Wonders whether correspondent might possibly know of any cases in which intense concentration of the mind on one portion of the skin produces dilation of the capillary vessels and hence reddening of the area.

Thanks GBAD for permission to use his photographs [see 7623] and for the information on the expression of astonishment in monkeys.

More details on children with hairy backs;

reasons for greater mortality rate of male children.

Discusses breeding fancy pigeons from the wild blue rock-dove.

Sends scraps of information. Everything he has sent is unreservedly at CD’s disposal.

Many thanks for copy of Descent.

Would like to visit CD when he comes to England.

On the power of concentration to influence body organs.

Has sent photographs of insane woman to be engraved. Assumes JC-B has no objection.

Is making immense use of JC-B’s MS. The book ought to be described as "by Darwin & Browne".

Discusses new edition of Descent.

Gives his opinion on four papers by J. P. M. Weale.

Reports case of apparent consciousness of complicity in an elephant.

Believes that Darwinism is applicable to Greek language.

Reports on sales and reception of his book [Descent]. Thanks HED for her help.

Wallace’s article in the Academy [2 (1870–1): 177–82] shows CD has had no influence on him; the review has had hardly any influence on CD.

Is delighted at the sale of Descent. What CD says about her help pleases her very much and the proposed gift as a memorial will be very precious to her. Is looking forward to seeing the family in London. Comments on a letter comparing CD's appearance to an ape. Is surprised CD has had no effect on Wallace: 'It seems to me his mind can’t be so clear as u used to think it'. Has worked out why she is dissatisfied with T. H. Huxley's essay ‘On the physical basis of life’ (T. H. Huxley 1869).

Anecdotal comments on various sections of Descent:

Red Indians erecting their ears;

reasoning in a pet antelope, stag deer, and mongoose;

use of foot as prehensile organ by carpenters in India.

On reading Descent was reminded of having seen, on a visit to an idiot asylum with her father [J. S. Henslow], a woman with long pointed ears.