Discusses Mivart’s reply ["Genesis of species", North Am. Rev. 114 (1872): 451–68] to CW’s review and to Huxley.

Asks whether CD knows anyone to whom he could usefully send a copy of his phyllotaxy paper [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. n.s. 9 (1867–73): 379–415].

Reports and asks questions about the offspring from the purported pairing of a woman with an ape.

Wild plants that live at the edges of civilisation, e.g., forest flowers growing on grazed land, are always reduced in size.

Thanks for sending translation of A. W. Malm’s paper ["On flatfishes", K. Svensk. Vetensk. Akad. Handl. N. F. 7 (1867–8) no. 4]; thinks it establishes that eye migrates across surface of head rather than through the skull.

Considers the relationship between direction of locomotion and the presence of stalked eyes in Crustacea.

On new [6th] edition of the Origin; comments on additions.

Owen’s attitude toward evolution.

Has acquired some French frogs, Rana esculenta, which have mated with R. temporaria, but the spawn has not developed.

Asks whether anyone has successfully crossed frogs and toads.

Protests against CD’s statement that FCD’s letter will make him "strike out a good deal". He would never pardon himself for being the cause of any suppression by CD. It is for specialists to put their knowledge at CD’s service. He is mistaken if he thinks a knowledge of physiology is sufficient for writing a book on expression. It is CD’s conception and spirit that all await. Offers to read those parts of the proofs of Expression dealing with physiology.

His father sends a list (to be returned) of boarders at Shrewsbury School. Implies CD stayed at Mother Bromfield’s.

Sends Plautus quotation on expression.

Has attended one more séance, which he describes; tells of the freedom investigators have to check, although they cannot prearrange, experiments.

Discusses his book [Die Darwin’sche Theorie (1871)], in which he emphasises natural selection acts on inborn variation and is the exclusive cause of transmutation, in opposition to the theories of Haeckel and Moritz Wagner.

Sends information on expression: head and hand movements of the Tagals of the Philippines, and of Malaysians.

Royal Netherlands Academy of Science has elected CD.

Sends sentences from Hermann von Helmholtz about difference between minor and major chords.

Glad Mrs Darwin likes his preface, but fears she will not like his tone on religion.

Having sent CD his two essays outlining his theory on "A secular transposition of oceans" [see 7368], JHS now forwards to CD a book he believes establishes his theory as an "eternal law of nature" [Die neue Theorie periodische säkularer Schwankungen des Seespiegels [periodischer!?] (1872)].

CD has been elected Honorary Member of Società Italiana di Antropologia e di Etnologia.

Cranial measurements connect man and apes.

He has shown differences between male and female skulls that bear on sexual selection.

Thanks CD for MS on the routes of male bees.

His "Fertilisation of flowers" is complete [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)].

Wants CD’s support for his application for post of Assistant Keeper in Zoological Department of British Museum.

Death of G. R. Gray.

His chapter on machines in Erewhon has been misunderstood as laughing at the Origin. He was only trying to show how an absurd proposition can be defended with a little ingenuity, distortion, and departure from strict scientific method. Will explain in a second edition, if one is called for.

The die is cast on Ayrton affair. Lord Derby has called for all of the correspondence, as a result of pressure by men of science on JDH’s behalf.

Has just had a Greenland collection, which supports his views altogether; "I am ready to do fight for these with you."