K. G. Semper’s article ["On the relationship of the Vertebrata and Annelida", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 15 (1875): 94–5] is ill-natured. Misinterprets facts already discovered by F. M. Balfour.

Has been working on Amphioxus. Puts his theory of vertebrate skulls on firm footing at last.

Praises JF’s book [Cosmic philosophy (1874)].

Has long wished to understand H. Spencer but is not convinced by him and some others. CD cannot trust deduction from a starting principle, as his mind is so fixed by the inductive method.

Delighted with Farrer’s assistance. A. Helps has also spoken to Sir S. Northcote.

JDH is getting on well but has periods of great depression.

Thanks for the essay on a curious new cirripede. He will not accept the offer of microscopical preparations.

Invites GJR to visit.

Sends French translation of Journal of researches and will send the £20 due to CD when 750 copies have been sold.

Thanks for translation of his Journal of researches. Is pleased by its appearance.

Also thank Edmond Barbier for his kind words. [See 9752.]

Cannot help with Pinguicula or Utricularia. Mrs Mary Treat is studying Utricularia.

Forwards his short piece on duration of varieties [New York Tribune 8 Dec 1874; Am. J. Sci. 3d ser. 9 (1875): 109–14].

Cites more examples of inheritance of maternal impressions.

Thanks for work on Lacerta muralis coerulea [Zoologische Studien auf Capri 2 (1874)].

Describes his university lectures on evolution and their publication in a book [Die neuere Schöpfungsgeschichte (1875)].

Thanks JDH for his and Huxley’s countering of the false attack on George [Darwin] by Mivart. Encloses a note to Mivart on which he asks JDH’s opinion.

Sends a suggested title [for Insectivorous plants?].

Asks JL to send ten shillings for the Down Friendly Club.

Has just read JL’s paper on bees and wasps [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Zool.) 12 (1876): 110–39]. Is astonished by their stupidity. The experiments on colour are especially good. Suggests JL examine their retinas; sends enclosure [missing] on eyes of reptiles and birds.

Awakened by a mouse scratching at night, he mewed like a cat and the mouse disappeared.

Sending a group of stuffed sparrows.

Thanks GJR for copy of his book [Christian prayer and general laws (1874)].

Discusses breeding and sterility.

Discusses experiments to test Pangenesis. Cites useful references.

Suggests GJR visit Kew gardens.

Sends three specimens of Aldrovanda verticillata.

Asks four favours: sort out confusion about the name Byblis gigantea or grandiflora; can he see dried specimens of Genlisea ornata; is there a more recent list of Drosera spp. than Steudel 1841; are there at Kew any dried specimens of Utricularia montana collected from the plant’s native haunts.

Bishop J. W. Colenso supports his old contention that the Kaffirs (including Zulus of South Africa) are Negroes.

[Horace Waller’s] The last journals of David Livingstone [in central Africa (1874)] cites CD’s plant research and has many facts "for Darwin".

Sends Utricularia montana and Byblis species.

Drosera census numbers 100 species.

Genlisea distinguished from Utricularia.