Differences in size and weight in deerhounds, with tables of comparative weights according to sex. Promises information on weights of deerhound puppies. Effects of cross- and inbreeding.

Proportion of sexes in pigeons, pigs, and pheasants.

Sexual preferences of females.

Congratulates WP on the success of his lectures.

Discusses the phrase "struggle for existence".

Sends a list of his papers.

Replies to inquiries about his life and career.

On hybridism between the fox and dog; asks whether CD knows of a reliable case of offspring from this cross.

Does CD want details on a white cat with blue eyes, but not deaf?

Sexual differences in antelopes (Indian and African).

Sends a single specimen of Drosophyllum lusitanicum with description from F. de Avellar Brotero’s Flora Lusitanica [1804].

Discusses Portuguese ferns,

inherited mutilation,

and the earth’s geological history.

Evolution of behaviour and beauty by natural selection.

Further observations on horns of fallow deer. Sends fawn’s head.

Is forwarding potted specimens of Drosophyllum.

Will make inquiries about sheep.

Transmits letter [from Fritz Müller].

Has been asked to permit a French translation of Orchids and Journal of researches.

At work on sexual selection.

Weir’s paper on relation of protection to colour of caterpillars [Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6; (1870): 337–9] confirms ARW’s hypothesis.

Suggests that ground ice, in Canada and similar countries, is a mode of distribution of boulders and animal and vegetable life.

Nothing new in Lushington’s letter. Two paragraphs are offensive – that THH sought to stir up Scotch Presbyterian prejudices against Comte at Edinburgh and that he had not read Comte.

Orchids translation should goad [French] Academy into electing CD.

JDH will be sent to St Petersburg congress by Government.

Huxley on protoplasm; his address to Geological Society.

Fertilised an Aucuba with pollen of various species. Reports on results.

Thanks for money, which will enable him to complete publication. Explains principles of his physiological theory.

Huxley has acknowledged receipt of VL’s letter. Both he and CD feel that some of VL’s statements were a little offensive although CD is sure this was not intended. Was glad to read the condensed statement of Comte’s claims in VL’s letter.

EF is seeking a French editor for Orchids [1870]. Introduces L. Rérolle, his student. [See 6667.]

Last letter was written to be passed on for Lushington’s edification. "(Standing on the points of my toes and my tail very stiff)." Is tiring of controversy as a waste of time. Begins to understand CD’s sufferings over Origin.

Envies JDH’s Russian trip.

Thanks for information on Aucuba. Urges him to experiment – case "has highest physiological importance, not to mention Pangenesis".

Has heard that Huxley has been attacking views of Sir W. Thomson.

Has received 12 plants of Drosophyllum lusitanicum from Oporto.

LR undertakes translation of Orchids [1870]. Awaits CD’s new footnotes and intends to look at every flower CD mentions.