Requests CD’s autograph.

Sends photograph of an emblem, which he uses as his personal symbol: "Moleshott, Büchner, Darwin: Scienza e Natura, Forza e Materia".

Location of stock certificates.

Is turning to experiments with rats, "Siamesed together" for cross-circulation.

Arrangements for distribution and review of pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s Darwinism: being an examination of Mr St. G. J. Mivart’s "Genesis of species" (1871)], which CD had reprinted at his own expense.

Obliged for letter about appendages on faces of goats.

Georgina [Tollet?] is eager to see a copy of Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)].

CD questions ADB on the mode of feeding of geese and on the existence of variations in the structure of the bill; is trying to trace gradations in structure and habits.

Buys ten shares in the Artizans, Labourers, & General Dwellings Co.

Observations on behaviour of spiders in Astrakhan and Turkestan.

Believes CD will not consider him a good Darwinian since he accepts natural selection only as a secondary law.

Is preparing new edition of Origin [6th] in which he will introduce new chapter to answer Mivart’s criticisms. Mivart is unfair: suppresses facts in CD’s later editions.

Sends article [by Chauncey Wright, see 7940] reviewing Genesis of species.

Mivart writes to CD full of respect, but reviles him in print.

There is a primary law of growth and innate improvement. Natural selection is a secondary law that operates to "arrange the details". This is not Lamarckian, because will is not involved.

Thanks for Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)].

Amused by critics who say CD is metaphysically unsophisticated.

Geese do not commonly sift water through their bills for food, as they feed on land. A few have well-developed lamellae for sifting. Will have his son check at Zoological Garden.

Asks whether any goose sifts water with its beak.

Reports on variations in the development of lamellae and how the bills are used in several kinds of geese. Will send skins for examination.

Offers his services for the future.

Working hard at establishing physiology at Cambridge.

Has received Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].

Has reviewed Quarterly Review article and 2d ed. of Genesis of species for the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].

Mivart has hopelessly misunderstood Suarez [Disputiones (1630)] on evolution.

Surprised at Mivart’s harsh review [Q. Rev. 131 (1871): 47–90], considering courteous tone of his book. Assures CD he has not been converted by Mivart.

On St G. J. Mivart’s Genesis of species and Chauncey Wright’s review of it [North Am. Rev. (July 1871)].

Lists [with prices] four birds that he has forwarded to CD.