Seeks CD’s opinion and references on the causes of terraces in the south of England. He supports sea action as cause, either by currents or on coasts, and has been engaged in a controversy in the Geological Magazine [4 (1867): 571–5] with the subaerial school. Poulett Scrope thinks they are agricultural.

A sermon.

JvH forwards J. Stack’s replies to CD’s queries about expression [see Expression, p. 20].

Sends photos of skeletons of six species of Dinornis he is assembling for the Museum.

Thanks CD for showing her proofs [of Variation] relating to cattle at Chillingham Park [see Variation 1: 81, 83–4]; has made abstracts of them for her own article.

Will have to delay starting on the bust of CD.

Wants to catch some queen bees to ship to Australia; wonders whether CD’s sons can help.

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".

Thanks CD for information on inclined terraces in S. America, which DM thinks applies to the chalk downs of S. England. CD’s definition that the sea widens and fresh water deepens is key to the subject.

On the summer, or breeding, plumage of birds.

Introduction of humble-bees into Australia.

The horns and spines of homopterous insects do not vary between sexes. Sexual differences in Blattidae.

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

On expression among Kaffirs.

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."

CK is drawn into discussions of Darwinism everywhere in Cambridge. The climate has changed in the past three years: the younger M.A.s are greedy to know more and the criticism of the older Fellows has a new tone.

He is sending two copies of vol. 1 of German edition of Variation. Thanks CD for rights to translate future works. Carus has begun translation of second volume. Asks when English edition will appear.

Will return Federico Delpino’s two pamphlets soon.

Hopes to get afternoon train from Victoria.

Woolner comes on Sunday morning.

A sermon.

Sexual differences in reptiles, especially Indian [see A. Günther, The reptiles of British India (1864)].