Finds Academy contains valuable matter for his work.

Descent progresses slowly – will not be ready for press for several months.

Writes of some observations on the Sandwich Islands.

Arranges to come to Down with R. A. v. Kölliker.

Would like to visit CD at Down.

[Fourth] German edition of Origin will be out in a few weeks.

Regrets he cannot come to Down on day suggested.

Has sent off specimens of Virgularia but fears they are in bad state. He could not find his dried specimens. Encloses notes that can be relied upon but may be of little use.

Also encloses a memorandum for Prof. K. G. Semper.

CD thinks Alcide d’Orbigny may have given name of Virgularia patagonica.

CD enjoyed RAvK’s recent visit [see 7164].

Appreciation of eulogy in preface of ARW’s book [Theory of natural selection].

Asks CD to look at the "special phylogonies" on pp. 138 and 152 of his book [Forms of animal life (1870)]. His comments are based on reading Haeckel, who is highly speculative and quite wrong.

Thanks TTTT for his study of European spiders [On European spiders Part 1 (1869–70)] which bases its classification system on the theory of evolution.

Italian translation [of Variation] is delayed, but printing should begin soon.

Will send CD one of his writings in which he defends the natural descent of man [Origin dell’uomo, 2d ed. (1870)].

CD’s theory is making great progress in Italy and daily gains supporters.

Is not prepared to express an opinion on man’s origin. On pure anatomical grounds he would form a family of the higher division of the primates, but if man’s intellectual, moral, and religious nature is considered, then "he differs more from an Anthropoid Ape than such an Ape differs from a lump of granite".

Thanks StGJM for prompt answer correcting inaccuracies in CD’s notes on StGJM’s opinions. Expects "universal disapprobation" when he publishes Descent.

Sends insect that carries dead ants, dead leaves, etc., on its back, as protective imitation.

Apologises for saying more than was necessary in his previous letter. Although he feels gratitude and esteem for CD, he execrates those who use natural selection to oppose man’s higher interests and impede his advance. Has seen Huxley’s Man’s place in nature for sale among a crowd of obscenities at most Italian railway stations.

Aggressive behaviour of dogs and horses.

Rabbits still running true; hopes to increase alien blood to 30%.

Is much obliged for information [about rabbits?].

Will send deerhound puppy.

Is critical of Herbert Spencer.

Thanks for copies of FVH’s "Preliminary field report [of the U. S. Geological Survey] of Colorado and New Mexico" [Am. J. Sci. 49 (1870): 258–63] and Geological report [of the exploration] of the Yellowstone [and Missouri] River[s under the direction of Captain W. F. Reynolds (1869)].

Expression in horses.

Crying in babies.