Comments on Hermann Crüger’s paper, sent by CD, on fertilisation of orchids [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 127–35].

Observations on dichogamy in grasses (wheat, rye, barley).

Has not yet read CD’s reply to his article on Pangenesis [Collected papers 2: 158–60].

Thinks it best for Murray’s to engrave the "Monkeys", etc. for themselves.

Comments on Huxley’s address ["Geological reform", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 25 (1869): xxxviii–liii].

Physicists have ignored variation in sea-level in calculating effects.

Doubts if sun only source of heat.

Notes average depth of sea is 15 times height of land.

Criticises CD’s concept of permanent continents.

Sedimentary strata of Alleghenies must have derived from continent located where Atlantic is. Thinks enormous amount of denudation, submergence, and elevation may have accompanied relatively insignificant organic changes.

Weight statistics on deerhound puppies born 23 Sept 1869.

Sends a "guess" about Mimosa leaf structure as an answer to one of CD’s questions.

Has found a Passiflora princeps.

Reinwald will be pleased to publish Descent.

He would also like to publish a Moulinié translation of the latest English edition of Origin. Negotiations with the old publisher are needed.

Sends reference to stridulation in an article about Scolytus by Dr Chapman "Observations on the economy of British species of Scolytus", Entomol. Mon. Mag. 6 (1870): 126–31.

Thanks CD for his kind offer [of translation rights for Descent].

Feels it a duty to make CD’s "way of looking to fields [recte facts] under the guidance of ideas" known to his countrymen, especially since zoologists and physiologists seem to think science is nothing but the accumulation of facts and have almost forgotten to reason about them.

Explains that, contrary to Carl Vogt’s report to CD, he continues as Professor of Comparative Anatomy at Leipzig, but he has failed to get the place of the late Professor of Zoology, as he had hoped.

The Polyzoa CD saw emerging from cells of a particular growth appear to be parasites. The main growth is a species of Sertularia; the minute parasites take possession of vacated cells.

JM advises CD regarding his relations with Masson, the French publisher of the Origin [1866], and the possibility of Reinwald’s publishing a translation of the 5th edition.

A parcel of engravings has come; shall EAD send them on?

CD’s questions [on expression] are more difficult than he thought and have led him further afield than he expected. If CD is not hurried, he promises less imperfect answers in six weeks. Thanks CD for drawing his attention to a really important question from different points of view.

Would like Frederick Smith of the British Museum to determine whether or not some unidentified Westphalian bees are new species.

Pleased to undertake publication of a new French translation of Origin based on the 5th English edition. J. J. Moulinié to be translator, with Carl Vogt reviewing his work. Will make arrangements to buy out the Royer edition [V. Masson et Fils; Guillaumin et Cie.].

Describes how the offer of C.B. was made. He declined a knighthood. Murchison and Lyell are trying to get him made Knight Commander of the Star of India, but he does not think there is a chance. The Duke [of Argyll?] might do it, but does not like JDH’s Darwinism.

Next Presidency of Royal Society discussed: all (Brodie, the X Club botanists, et al.) are agreed on Lyell.

Everyone is disappointed with Nature.

What did CD think of "Huxley’s rhapsody on Goethe’s ditto" [Nature 1 (1869): 9–11]?

Sends his translation of Wallace’s Malay Archipelago.

Wishes to translate 1858 essays by CD and Wallace from Linnean Society Proceedings [Collected papers 2: 3–19].

Plans journey to tropics.

Hopes to meet CD.

Statistics on sexes of Lepidoptera reared this season. [See Descent 1: 313.]

JM reports sales of Facts and arguments for Darwin, Variation, and Origin [5th ed.].

Sends best wishes for success in putting down "Parisian blasphemers".

Asks CD to write a letter sponsoring him for the Chair of Comparative Physiology at Paris. There are some who do not think his work on artificial production of monstrosities belongs in physiology.

Thanks CD for his orchid paper ["Fertilization of orchids", Collected papers 2: 138–56]. Comments briefly on orchids.

Discusses moths in which the wing underside is the most brightly coloured, and relates his observations on sexual selection by a moth, Syntomis.