It is important that notion of "small antiquity" of the earth be upset.

Sympathises with GJR on dreadful loss [of his sister, Georgina].

Can GJR visit Down?

Onions not yet up.

Encloses some notes on Descent [2d ed.]. Discusses CD’s contention [p. 130] that natural selection could not act to increase altruistic behaviour in man; considers that the benefits conferred upon a person exhibiting such virtues would outweigh the threat to survival that such behaviour would pose.

Thanks for letter of sympathy.

Would like to visit in May.

Asks whether WHF has had time to look at goose’s wing.

Bones in goose’s wing perfectly normal. Malformation probably due to want of balance in muscles; analogous to club-foot. Injury of the parent not reproduced in offspring, but may have led to disturbance in functions of nerves which control muscles. Would like further study.

Sends CD two specimens of Fuchsia monstrosities.

He is writing on the geographical distribution of Cheiroptera and can find no information on presence or absence of bats in the Galapagos. Did CD see any there?

Monstrosity of fuchsia sent by GD not uncommon.

Does not recall bats at Galapagos.

Will ask Blair for more [goose] wing specimens.

Encloses report by W. H. Flower on goose’s wing.

Asks RAB to obtain wings from young birds and broken wing from old one. Asks about details of injury.

Points out evolutionary comments by Alexander Braun in his Betrachtungen über die Erscheinung der Verjüngung in der Natur 1849–50.

Sends a copy of a letter from Herbert Blakeway of Illinois, which accompanied a pig’s head with wattles.

Discusses the Castle Martin breed of Bos, the history of which shows parallels with the Himalayan rabbits.

Would like to have some insect photographs identified; they seem to show pretty and new case of protective resemblance.

Doesn’t know anything about the insects in question, but has sent the photographs on to an expert in London.

Germination of Cactaceae; CD wants seeds. Site of action of growth-stimuli.

Thanks for information [about early evolutionary views of Alexander Braun].

Will be happy to subscribe to support Jemmy FitzRoy Button. Supposes BJS has considered whether it would be a real kindness to educate the boy.

Has reviewed Forms of flowers in Revista Botanica [(1877): 84–106].

CD’s treatment by the French Academy.

Hypothesises that the mollusc-like mantle of Balanus originates from a form of grafting.

Sends specimens of Russian wheat variety kubanka, which after sowing for two years degenerates into a different variety, saxonka. Suggests that ASW conduct experiments.

Encloses two photos [missing].