Herbert Spencer is staying with the Lubbocks and would much like to see CD.

Discusses dimorphism of Oxalis; one form has 99% sterile anthers. Has found three kinds of fertile anthers.

Is unable to fix a day for luncheon until later.

Thanks for CD’s patronage;

will pursue CD’s query about otter-hounds.

Remarks on continuing debate over CD’s views in BAAS.

Would CD like to have Susan’s Indian chessmen?

EAD should settle something about the house but has no power without consent of all parties.

Caroline looks worn – it has been a most painful time.

Is pleased CD approved of his effort ["Address in surgery", see 5219] in which he alluded to CD’s views.

Disposal of Susan’s effects.

Frank and Henry [Parker] are executors.

EAD is bringing away a large packet of CD’s letters from abroad.

Sends sermon he preached at the BAAS Nottingham meeting ["The continuity of the schemes of nature and revelation" (1866)], in which he disagrees with CD on the gradual genesis of the human eye by natural selection.

Has searched scores of purple-fruited nut-trees, but not a nut is to be found. Has heard there are some nearby and will send them as soon as he receives them.

Does not think he can persuade American publishers to reprint [4th English ed. of] Origin in U. S. Suggests Murray supply copies of it and the new book [Variation] to the American market.

Disposal of Susan’s effects. Legacies to CD’s children. EAD has taken the letters and papers and asked Henry [Parker] to forward the George Richmond pictures of CD and Emma.

Caroline looks "miserably ill".

Sends CD a letter from Mr Claydon responding to TR’s doubts and confirming the truth of a report that a farmer had "transmuted" oats into barley.

The blocks [for Variation] have been forwarded to Murray.

WBT has been corresponding with Prof. Newton.

JM states he will publish [Variation] on same basis as Origin, i.e., paying CD two-thirds of the profits.

In response to Asa Gray’s suggestion, he could supply Ticknor & Fields with 250 copies [of Origin, 4th ed.] at half-price.

Will visit CD on Sunday, 21 October.

Will spend winter in research on Madeira and Tenerife.

CD will soon receive copy of Generelle Morphologie.

Lyell has sent chapters [of 10th ed. of Principles] to JDH, who objects to CL’s ignoring the part vapour plays in affecting temperature of the globe.

Parliament will be asked to buy W. J. Hooker’s collection.

Anxious to make acquaintance of Ernst Haeckel [who was staying with CD].

Explains dichogamy in Aristolochia. C. K. Sprengel was wrong.

Under circumstances [reluctance of Ticknor & Fields to compete with Appleton], best course is to offer Appleton the 250 copies [of 4th English edition of Origin].

Plans to have J. V. Carus handle translation of new edition of Origin. Describes Carus’ views on the edition.