Heartily glad about the news of the Ayrton affair development.

Huxley looks very unwell from too much miscellaneous work; CD wishes he could be made a Director General for transference of British Museum and for other scientific work, as JDH suggests.

Asks her to probe worm-holes on grassy slopes with a knitting needle to ascertain whether they come out at right angles to the slope or to the horizon.

CD is grateful for the eulogy in Index [no. 104]. Many would disagree. It is the fashion to say he is a good observer with "an utterly illogical mind".

Thanks WED for checking through the proofs of a new [6th] edition of Origin.

CD believes that StGJM has been unfair in his criticisms and has misrepresented him; he begs him not to write again. "Agassiz has uttered splendid sarcasms on me, but I still feel quite friendly towards him. M. Flourens cd. not find words to express his contempt of me: Pictet & Hopkins argued with great force against me: Fleeming Jenkin covered me with first-rate ridicule; & his crticisms were true & most useful: but none of their writings have mortified me as yours have done …" [See 8154.]

Obliged for QdeB’s efforts [to have CD elected member of Académie Française].

With regard to stress that QdeB lays on man’s walking on two legs, no one attributes much significance to difference in mode of locomotion between seals and terrestrial Carnivora or kangaroos and other marsupials.

Thanks for observations on angles of worm-holes on slopes. William Darwin is observing at Stonehenge. She is worth her weight in gold.

Heartily glad about Willy.

Has never had Zizania.

Still has Leersia. He cannot make the beast produce.

What slow coaches the Ministers are about the Ayrton affair.

Gives information on recent editions of Lyell’s works.

Has corrected last page of index of Origin [6th ed.]. Sends instructions.

Requests that JM make stereotype plates of 6th edition of Origin available to D. Appleton. This will be last edition and CD is "extremely anxious" to spread his views.

Asks for investment advice.

Wants AR to make any observations she can on the occurrence of little ledges on the side of steep, turf-covered slopes. Feels they may result from the washing down of worm-castings.

Glad AW’s eyesight is better.

Has received AW’s essay [Einfluss der Isolierung (1872)].

Glad he is turning attention to sexual selection. Hardly any naturalists agree with CD on subject.

David Forbes thinks WED’s chalk samples have been penetrated by surface mud.

Discusses problems of obtaining money for the alteration of Down church.

Asks BR to make two drawings of dogs to show expressions. Discusses expressions of hostile dog and caressing dog.

Testimonial letter. JM would be well fitted for the Chair of General and Comparative Physiology of the Royal Veterinary College.

Thanks for kindness. BR must not think of trying until he feels inclination and strength for task.

Comments on AW’s work [Einfluss der Isolierung (1872)].

Discusses formation of local races.

Conchologist should investigate whether species of same genus vary during successive geological periods.

Comments on Franz Hilgendorf ["Über Planorbis multiformis", Monatsber. K. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin (1866): 474–504].

Believes sexual selection will be judged a powerful agency.