Thanks for providing turtle soup.

Not quite so sure he thanks VL for introducing Richard Buckley Litchfield into the Darwin family to be CD’s son-in-law.

Asks about the lip position of a pouting child.

Refers GH to vol. 2, p. 431 of Variation for the "perplexed conclusion" at which CD has arrived on variation and design. Has nothing to add to this statement.

Sends 6th ed. of Origin;

draws attention to his criticism of ARW’s estimate of Kovalevsky;

mentions his disagreement with much of Spencer’s doctrine

and in a postscript points out an inaccuracy in an article in Once a Month.

Note authorising James West to collect Transactions on CD’s behalf.

Instructions for forwarding a parcel and outstanding issues of Transactions due him.

THF’s article in Nature ["The fertilisation of a few papilionaceous flowers", 6 (1872): 478–80, 498–501] is extremely good.

Suspects he now has answer to why common peas and sweetpeas hardly ever intercross, a point which half drove CD mad for years.

Recommends Hermann Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen [1873].

Asks THF to examine old flowers of Coronilla for holes bored by bees.

Is investigating whether drops of water injure leaves.

Thinks THF has solved the mystery of Coronilla.

Suggests a reference to Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 1 Dec 1873, p. 497, when THF takes up Coronilla.

Delighted to hear about Coronilla. Urges publication ["Fertilisation of papilionaceous flowers– Coronilla", Nature 10 (1874): 169–70].

Has read THF’s article on Coronilla [see 9400] – "a very curious case"; is troubled by C. emerus.

Thanks Council for their kindness; even if he had known that the right to reprint papers was a recognised one he would have asked the Council’s consent [before reprinting Climbing plants?].

Gives a report on a paper by Thomas Powell on coral islands ["Notes on the nature and productions of several atolls of the Tokelan, Ellice, and Gilbert Groups, South Pacific", read 15 Apr 1875, not published].

If THF and James Caird [Enclosure Commissioner] approve of enclosed letter, CD will send it to Hooker.

Believes it absurd to doubt that a man may be an ardent theist and evolutionist; gives the examples of Kingsley and Asa Gray. As regards CD’s own views, his judgement often fluctuates but "I have never been an Atheist in the sense of denying the existence of God". Thinks that "generally (and more and more as I grow older) … an Agnostic would be the most correct description of my state of mind".

CD’s great interest in JS’s work on fertility of Primula crosses.

Thanks for Passiflora trials.

"By no means modify even in slightest degree any result."

CD wishes he had counted rather than weighed Primula seeds.

Referee report on paper by Richard Spruce on sacs in Melastoma [see 6690]. CD says RS’s suggestions that sacs are inherited is not supported and should be deleted.

Anticipates that all their differences are fated to find expression in projected book on man.

Offers his early MS with useful references related to the distribution of animals. Hopes ARW’s book will not be "little".

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