The conversion of Asa Gray must be a pleasure.

CD’s doctrine accounts for and gives a vera causa of structures.

Discusses F. Hildebrand’s book.

Would like to borrow CD’s carriage on polling day.

After examining a basket of piebald potatoes he does believe them to be a graft-hybrid as Friedrich Hildebrand might suggest.

Potato graft-hybrid fails to give potatoes.

August Weismann requests Wallace’s address to find out about experiments on butterflies hinted at in Variation.

Arrangements for polling.

The position at Geological Society is now vacant, and he is working for it in earnest. Asks CD for a testimonial.

Continues his work on Für Darwin.

Asks permission to dedicate to CD his book on the fossil animals and geology of Attica [Animaux fossiles et géologie de l’Attique (1862–7)]. CD will find much in it relating to the "filiation" of species, genera, and families.

Thanks CD for comments [on Entstehung des Menschengeschlechts].

Comments on Goethe and Kant as early evolutionists.

Describes birth of his son. Mentions child’s "atavisms".

Further arrangements for polling. Everything looks well. [Ellen Lubbock notes, "he is too sanguine – ".]

Disappointed that he missed CD. Hopes still to see him in the flesh.

Has CD seen August Weismann’s inaugural address [see 6297]?

CD is welcome to come for breakfast on Sunday.

Thanks CD for kind and flattering testimonial.

Asks CD to propose him for Linnean Society.

Would like to have Lyell put his objections to GHL’s papers [Fortn. Rev. 9 (1868): 353–73, 611–28; 10 (1868): 61–80, 492–509] in the form of notes, so he can have them before him when he recasts his papers into a book.

On corals and coral-formation.

Describes his tour of the Netherlands. Reports on some of the specimens he saw on his trip.

Discusses the coloration of hair in aged monkey

and sexual differences in bird species.

Has little information about hens with spurs. Encloses information from Robert Oettel and C. F. Friderich, and from J. F. Blumenbach’s Vergleichende Anatomie [1805]. Recommends various German publications.

Thinks CD’s views of insect agency and crossing might explain structure and variations of papilionaceous flowers. Lists five points. Asks CD’s opinion.

On H. C. Watson’s false and contemptuous criticism of [J. D. Hooker and T. Thomson] Flora Indica [1855].

W. B. Carpenter’s deep-sea dredgings.

James Croll’s last paper ["On geological time", Philos. Mag. 35 (1868): 363; 36 (1868): 141, 362].

Comments on experience of being a father.

Discusses possible English edition of Generelle Morphologie. Mentions necessary revisions.

Thanks CD for comment on Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte.

Discusses problem of assigning specific times to origin of classes.

Anxious to hear how the Lubbocks take the disastrous termination to their hopes. [Sir John Lubbock was defeated in the Parliamentary election on 25 Nov 1868.]