Has forwarded JPMW’s papers to the Linnean Society [four articles by J. P. M. Weale, J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 13 (1870–2): 42–58].

Comments on JPMW’s findings concerning flowers and their fertilisation.

Thanks DF for proofs of his paper on Aymara Indians.

Thanks QdeB for his continued support of CD’s election to French Academy.

Discusses views of Milne-Edwards on species.

Comments on views of Élie de Beaumont.

"I fear my next book [Descent] … will greatly displease you."

Thanks GFK for offer of information.

Encloses, for publication, note about Pampas woodpecker, opposing W. H. Hudson [see 7354].

Regrets he is unable to correct his "little manual" ["Geology" in Manual of scientific enquiry (1849)]. Recommends that John Phillips revise it.

Discusses his present book [Descent].

Bran [deerhound puppy] is thriving; enjoys English life.

Thanks CL for his book [The student’s elements of geology (1871)].

Is correcting proofs [of Descent].

Thanks for note concerning JP’s new book [Geology of Oxford (1871)].

CD has forgotten about S. J. O. Horsman and the church organ and asks for any information that will help him inform his solicitors in connection with a document he has received and encloses. Will not apologise for what he said, but is ignorant of what it was.

Sends enclosure copied from letter of F. C. Donders [7207?] dealing with orbicular muscle. Asks about secretion of tears resulting from spasmodic action of orbicular muscle.

Has forwarded FDuCG’s book [Natural history of the Azores (1870)] to Dr Hartlaub.

Asks about eyes of camel when the animal is uttering a loud sound.

Discusses his blunder in "confounding the two foramina" [in the skull] of apes [in Descent].

Discusses views of George Rolleston, St George Mivart, and Huxley on the occurrence of the foramina.

Thanks TRRS for copy of his book [Essays on Darwinism (1871)].

Comments on FCD’s 1848 work [see 7582] in which he came near to anticipating CD.

Comments on FCD’s paper [on action of the eyelids, see 7203]. Asks about contraction or dilation of the iris due to emotional states, illness, or prostration.

Thanks AHB for her letter about girl with pointed ears.

His undying gratitude to her father [J. S. Henslow].

Thanks him for information on children with hairy backs.

Discusses paper by J. M. Duncan on the relative weights of male and female infants.

Discusses his concept of beauty. "I daresay I have made too much of natural selection".

Discusses action of the platysma in a state of fear.