On reading F. Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin [1869].

Pangenesis.

Agrees with CD on fascination [of snakes].

Huxley is at Comte again.

On the genealogy of the horse.

Sends notes on lack of variation in seedlings of trees and shrubs

and on climbers changing their character with age.

Sends C. M. Browne’s notes on transmission of colour in greyhounds [see Variation, 2d ed., 2: 40]

and a letter from Major Holland.

WBT to visit America.

Has been asked by Henry Powell [new vicar of Down] for help to build a house at Down; asks for CD’s advice.

Responds to questions about sex ratios at birth and mortality in either sheep or cattle.

Wants to know whether CD is related to Edward Darwin, who married a French woman in 1823.

An article in North British Review by mathematician against Hooker and Huxley and for William Thomson [P. G. Tait, "Geological time", North Br. Rev. 50 (1869): 406–39]. Feels a conviction that world will be found older than reviewer makes it.

Article on "Design" [by J. B. Mozley] in Quarterly Review [127 (1869): 134–76].

Has JDH studied Drosophyllum?

Cannot help CD with his request for calcareous sponges.

Acclimatisation of potatoes by selection.

Progressing with translation of new footnotes for Orchids. Asks for help with a few words.

Mating practice of Carcinus maenas [see Descent 1: 331].

Difference in size in sexes of Crustacea.

Would be glad to send GRG a testimonial of his abilities as a naturalist, but is not qualified to express opinion on his works in ornithology or entomology.

Discusses need for cross-fertilisation in Geranium.

Hooker begins to doubt whether Drosophyllum so closely allied to Drosera.