THH’s offer to read proof of essay on man encourages CD to write with satisfaction instead of a vague dread.

Begs Mrs Huxley not to forget corrugator supercilii in a crying child.

Asks THH to think about a better name for "Pangenesis"; suggests "Cytarrogenesis" or "Atomogenesis", but still prefers vaguer "Pangenesis".

Thanks for congratulations.

Doubts THH’s response to Pangenesis will give him pleasure. "Oh Lord what a blowing up I may receive."

Still thinks THH has been too "sharp sighted" on hybridism.

Sends Mrs Huxley Queries about expression.

Questions on marmosets and the vocal organs of Hylobates.

W. S. Dallas asks whether Ray Society would publish translation of Haeckel’s Generelle morphologie. If THH thinks suggestion good, he might make inquiries.

Family news.

Has come to Freshwater for five weeks for his health. Sends regrets to Prof. Kühne at not being able to see him.

Sends a page to be sent on to Charles William Nunn.

Offers sympathy for the illness of THH’s son, Henry (Harry) Huxley.

Wishes he could have attended the British Association for the Advancement of Science meeting at Norwich.

At writer’s request, forwards long letter on Comte by Vernon Lushington.

Thanks for THH’s address [to Geological Society, Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 25 (1869): 28–53]. Admires it and enjoyed attack on William Thomson hugely, but would tremble if he were in THH’s boots. Distinction made by THH between evolutionists and uniformitarians is too great. CD’s sentences on age of world in Origin will do, but he might have been less timid had he read THH.

Thanks for [D. D. Cunningham’s] letter. Had hoped for a better haul but delighted to hear of the curious fossil.

Haeckel wants British specimens of calcareous sponges. Can THH tell him to whom he can apply?

Health not improving – cannot climb even a hill.

Has heard THH’s article on Comte ["Scientific aspects of Positivism", Lay sermons (1870)] is a splendid success.

James Orton, U. S. naturalist, has sent him a tooth from skull of a horse found in Quito, Ecuador in deposits containing Mastodon, etc. JO asked CD to send it to Owen, but, since he does not communicate with Owen, he is sending it to THH.

V. O. Kovalevsky, Russian translator [of Variation], wishes to hear THH lecture.

Sends copy of 2d ed. of Origin, with list of corrections.

Is at work on "fuller work" [Variation].

Invites Mrs Huxley and the children to spend a fortnight at Down.

MS of Chauncey Wright’s review has not yet arrived.

[P.S. missing from original.]

On THH’s Lectures to working men.

Work by Ferdinand J. Cohn on the contractile tissue of plants ["Über contractile Gewebe im Pflanzenreich" Abh. Schlesischen Ges. Vaterl. Cult. 1 (1861)] seems important. CD has come to the conclusion that there must be some substance in plants analogous to the supposed diffused nervous matter in lower animals.

[Part of P.S. missing from original.]

Impressed by Tylor’s book [see 4836].

Encloses admirable note from Huxley on Lyell–Lubbock affair.

Apologises for passing on what he agrees were offensive remarks in V. Lushington’s letter. Has told VL he had no right to make them. Asks THH to make allowance for red-hot disciples defending the master.

Delighted with THH’s review [in Academy (1869)] of Haeckel’s [Natürliche] Schöpfungsgeschichte [1868],

but groans about THH’s view of rudimentary organs. Cites Origin and Variation.