On new [6th] edition of the Origin; comments on additions.

Owen’s attitude toward evolution.

Has acquired some French frogs, Rana esculenta, which have mated with R. temporaria, but the spawn has not developed.

Asks whether anyone has successfully crossed frogs and toads.

Protests against CD’s statement that FCD’s letter will make him "strike out a good deal". He would never pardon himself for being the cause of any suppression by CD. It is for specialists to put their knowledge at CD’s service. He is mistaken if he thinks a knowledge of physiology is sufficient for writing a book on expression. It is CD’s conception and spirit that all await. Offers to read those parts of the proofs of Expression dealing with physiology.

His father sends a list (to be returned) of boarders at Shrewsbury School. Implies CD stayed at Mother Bromfield’s.

Sends Plautus quotation on expression.

Has attended one more séance, which he describes; tells of the freedom investigators have to check, although they cannot prearrange, experiments.

Thanks CC’s father for relic. Remembers almost every boy above him but few below him in the school.

CC’s translation seems capital.

Discusses his book [Die Darwin’sche Theorie (1871)], in which he emphasises natural selection acts on inborn variation and is the exclusive cause of transmutation, in opposition to the theories of Haeckel and Moritz Wagner.

Sends information on expression: head and hand movements of the Tagals of the Philippines, and of Malaysians.

Royal Netherlands Academy of Science has elected CD.

Expresses gratitude on election to Royal Netherlands Academy.

Not surprised incipient disease in female would make her unattractive to male.

Sorry JJW’s official duties are so heavy.

Sends drawings of dogs in different attitudes, drawn by his friend A. May. FD should not trouble CD unless he thinks the drawings will please him. [See Expression, pp. 54–5.]

Sends sentences from Hermann von Helmholtz about difference between minor and major chords.

Thanks GHD for extracts, but says the subject of music is beyond him.

Suggests that GHD deliberate over one or two sentences of his paper on dress ["Developments in dress", Macmillan’s Mag. 22 (1872): 410–16].

Refers to prospective marriage of Amy [Ruck and CD’s son Francis].

Having sent CD his two essays outlining his theory on "A secular transposition of oceans" [see 7368], JHS now forwards to CD a book he believes establishes his theory as an "eternal law of nature" [Die neue Theorie periodische säkularer Schwankungen des Seespiegels [periodischer!?] (1872)].

Glad Mrs Darwin likes his preface, but fears she will not like his tone on religion.

CD has been elected Honorary Member of Società Italiana di Antropologia e di Etnologia.

Cranial measurements connect man and apes.

He has shown differences between male and female skulls that bear on sexual selection.

Thanks CD for MS on the routes of male bees.

His "Fertilisation of flowers" is complete [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)].

"Be so good as to send me Unsere Zeit with Julius Frauenstädt’s article ["Darwin’s Auffassung des geistigen und sittlichen Lebens des Menschen" n.s. 8 (May 1872), 597–605]. I am much obliged for the information."

Wants CD’s support for his application for post of Assistant Keeper in Zoological Department of British Museum.

Death of G. R. Gray.