Encloses letters from two owners [W. Corbett and C. Randell] of large farms concerning fields with ridges and furrows in the direction of the slope. All local men agree the ridges do not change shape.

Urges CD to repent and seek salvation through Christ.

A poem, "Burns to Darwin".

Would be pleased if CD called.

Sends two books detailing a new medical method that will produce "a state of health & vigour on every occasion & in every instance" and is applicable to "the entire circle of animated nature" [William Hibbert, Important discovery. Hibbert’s new theory and practice of medicine (1870) and The new theory and practice of medicine (1870)]. The volumes apply to animals and man. Subsequent books will detail the method for insects and plants.

[Letter erroneously addressed to E. A. Darwin, and forwarded by EAD to CD.]

Verses on the Origin and Descent.

Returns pamphlets.

B. T. Lowne’s observation [Mon. Microsc. J. 4 (1870): 326–30] that boiling does not kill certain moulds is curious, but then how account for absence of all living things in Pasteur’s experiment?

Always delighted to see a word in favour of Pangenesis.

Thiselton-Dyer’s paper ["On spontaneous generation and evolution", Q. J. Microsc. Sci. 10 (1870): 333–54] is Spencerian.

The chemical conditions for first production of life are said to exist at present, but in some warm little pond today such matter would be absorbed or devoured, which would not have been the case before living creatures were formed.

Has left Paris because of the war.

J. J. Moulinié and Carl Vogt are at work on Descent, which CR plans to publish in Paris.

Sir Andrew Smith says Hottentots and Kaffirs laugh till they cry.

Encloses a letter [missing] from C. Reinwald, publisher of the French edition of Descent [1872].

Vincenzi [of Unione, Turin – publisher of Italian translation] has not yet paid the account.

On irritation of cutaneous nerves exciting responses in unconnected skin muscles.

Does shut eyes when scratching himself. Will ask Langstaff about muscles used when playing flute. Is back at work but hobbling around.

The box of bones sent by CD has led to a series of explorations. Reports on Yorkshire cave-hunting.

Will send copy of Descent.

Comments on JC-B’s MS on expression among insane. Asks about weeping in insane men. Do idiots laugh when pleased?

Thanks for photographs of insane. Asks for additional photographs.

Comments on Henry Maudsley [Body and mind (1870)].

Pointed ears in the insane.

Sends a publication to Darwin.

Asks for a portrait.

Sends CD some remarks he made before the Academy of Natural Sciences [Philadelphia].

TM is indebted to the Origin for first suggesting to him which observations might be useful to those working out the greater laws of nature.

Asks that a presentation copy [of Descent?] be sent to Edward Blyth. Comments on publication.

Discusses presentation copies [of Descent]. Dallas returned proofs of index on Friday. Asks for John Stuart Mill’s address.

Printing of Descent will be done this day. Cannot publish until next week.

Values CD’s approbation more than that of anyone else now living.

CD’s "searching questions". Sends answers separately.

Offers his observation on morbid pigmentation of skin.

Offers photographs of abnormal features in patients – ears with bristles, women with two sets of nipples.

Encloses notes on weeping and laughter in the insane.