Thanks JVC for his History of zoology [Geschichte der Zoologie bis auf Joh. Müller und Charl. Darwin (1872)]. Considers the title one of the greatest honours ever paid him.

Reports on foreign orders for the heliotype plates of Expression.

Will consider JVC’s comments on Expression when he prepares a new edition.

Thanks JVC for correcting his blunder on spelling of "Arrotino" [see Expression, p. 184]. "No Frenchman has a greater tendency to spell all proper names wrongly than I have."

Thanks JVC for his criticisms and corrections of Expression. Asks him to alter his translation accordingly.

Reports on very successful sale of Expression in England. Suggests German publisher keep the type set up in case more than the expected 3000 copies are needed.

Has begun work on some old botanical observations [of Drosera for Insectivorous plants].

Has not strength nor time to alter and improve Variation.

First English edition of Expression now at 9000 copies.

Acknowledges correction in text of Variation . "You are a most conscientious editor & are as careful as I am apt to be careless."

Has no corrections for second German edition [of Expression]. Plans to bring out an improved edition in a year or two.

Thanks for reference JVC sent.

John Murray has announced his next book [Cross and self-fertilisation] without CD’s knowledge. It is only half-written. JVC will hear when it is published and will decide whether it is worth translating. It will be dry, but, CD believes, of value.

Has read an account of JVC’s Scottish lectures.

Invites JVC to Down.

Regrets he cannot receive JVC at Down on Monday as he would then be too unwell to travel on Tuesday, when he must leave for a visit [to Abinger Hall, according to the Journal].

Has been working hard on Drosera and Dionaea. His next book will be on these plants and not, as he had intended, "On evil effects of Inter breeding".

Informs JVC that he is beginning a second, corrected edition of Descent, in case a new edition is wanted in Germany.

Is glad to hear of new German edition of Descent, but owing to his extensive revisions, corrected sheets will not be ready for about three months.

Is working on a new edition of Coral reefs, which he thinks would sell in Germany.

Would like to hear "out of curiosity & vanity" how many copies of his books have been sold in Germany.

Looks forward to a visit from JVC and family in August.

Sheets of vol. 1 of Descent [2d ed.] are going to printer;

new edition of Coral reefs is half printed.

Would be glad to hear of a collected edition of his works [in Germany], but has no opinion on how it would sell. Has been surprised to learn that in England some think uniform collected works sell best. Tells JVC his publication plans and other details to guide him on extent of a "collected works".

Descent corrections have been laborious and troublesome.

Descent [2d English ed.] will not be published until November. Will send JVC first sheet of revised proofs soon.

Pleased to hear of success of JVC’s lectures.

Summer plans have changed. Does not yet know when he will take a month’s holiday.

Asks JVC if he can provide introductions in Leipzig and Dresden for his son George.

Has not yet received any revised sheets of Descent [2d English ed.].

Advises JVC on how his publisher might deal with problem of getting satisfactory heliotype copies for 2d [German] edition of Expression.

Regrets that he will again be away in August, when JVC might have come for a visit.

Will soon send remaining sheets [of Descent, 2d English ed.]. Fears JVC’s errata have come too late for printing.

His new work [Insectivorous plants] will make a rather big book.

Thanks JVC for a correction to 2d English edition of Descent, which is now finished. 1350 copies were sold at Murray’s sale.

Thanks JVC for errata [in Descent, 2d ed.].

Discusses work in progress and publication plans.

Will be pleased to receive concluding volume of JVC’s Zoologie [see 8531].