WSD is pleased that CD approves his index draft [for Variation]; notes his objection to long list of references under "Dogs" and will try to find a principle for shortening it. He has not indexed all authors’ names; is this practice satisfactory?

Suggestions on listing authors in the index [for Variation].

Thanks CD for his two notes [on indexing references to authors]; will increase the scope of his citations by including those quoted in footnotes in support of statements in the text.

Has adopted CD’s plan of giving every author’s name in index [of Variation], but it causes delay.

Some corrections and queries about Variation text. Is pushing hard to finish, but CD is right that the names in the notes make the work interminable. Fears he is causing delay in publication. Is astonished at "the wonderful array of facts brought together and at the manner in which you bring them to bear".

WSD is pushing forward as fast as he can with [index to] second volume [of Variation]. The work is fearfully heavy.

Regrets that the remarks in his letter [5712] seemed to CD to be criticisms. Nothing was further from his intention. He is working hard. "The subjects often seem to elude the Index-maker."

He is vexed that CD has had to write again about the index. He has no excuse except "the nature of the work itself".