Thanks CD for his kind expressions [of sympathy] and for his consideration. Encloses cheque for £5 interest.

Thanks CD for Journal of researches.

Insect genus Elater is an exception to the rule that all luminous organs give out a green light.

Gives some observations on climbing plants at Itajahy.

His study of orchids has convinced him of the value of CD’s book.

Reports instances of birds admiring their images in mirrors or on pictures.

Going to Orient as naturalist aboard the Rifleman. Offers CD his services.

Is sending Ophrys plants marked as CD requested as wild or under cultivation. Discusses arrangements for a scheme planned for 1867 and his method for marking his Ophrys specimens.

Suggests two ways of financing what Susan will owe Catherine’s estate.

Division of Catherine’s estate.

Arrangements for EAD’s will.

Wishes CD would pay him another visit.

Lyell calculates enviously that CD can do more work than any of the philosophers.

Thanks for CD’s suggestions. [From CD’s notes on CC’s previous letter, these were (1) means of distribution; (2) domestic animals; (3) gestures of savages.]

Appeal for funds for paying of the Society’s debt, and for an annual subscription.

Had Busks and Lyells to dinner.

Examines and criticises evidence for CD’s hypothesis that the glacial period was not one of universal cold. Physicists deny its possibility.

Informs CD third edition of Origin is exhausted. Proposes a new edition. Has CD any changes? Since demand is slowing up, proposes printing only 1250 copies and deferring payment of CD’s share until sales have repaid manufacturing costs.

Sends sheets of Origin [4th edition] for CD to correct [for 3d German edition?].

Still has 600 copies of Orchids, but deficit reduced to £30.

Undertakes to pay two-thirds of profits of the [fourth] edition of Origin as soon as one-half of the copies are sold.

Sends papers on graft-hybrids ["Sur les hybrides obtenus par la greffe", Bull. Congr. Int. Bot. & Hortic. Amsterdam (1865): 65–80, and "Über Mischlinge, durch Pfropfen entstanden", Sitzungsber. K. Phys.-oekon. Ges. Königsberg 6 (1865): 11–21].

Lyell wants to see JDH’s last letter [the part on glacial periods]. Lyell full of concern about astronomical causes of heat and cold on the globe.

Encloses letter from John Scott.

Has received the larva of the batrachian. Outlines its affinities. Problems of batrachian systematics.

Would much like to see Dr Birchfield appointed superintendent of the new asylum at Woking.

As Honorary Secretary of the Botanical Congress he asks that CD’s name be listed as a member of its committee.

Discusses the stinging habits of wasps and bees and whether or not they leave their sting in the wound.

Feels sure that at times the globe must have been superficially cooler. Believes CD will turn out right with regard to migration across the equator via mountain chains, while the tropical heat of certain lowlands was retained.