Summarises her theory about expression in music.

Sends MS of section on voice as a means of expression [Expression, pp. 86–93]. CD is dissatisfied with it – wishes he could avoid the subject.

Discussion of H. Spencer’s views on the origin of music.

Sends MS chapter on voice from Expression to HL for examination.

Agrees with R. B. Litchfield about Herbert Spencer’s views on speech and music.

The rabbits arrived safely.

Thanks GAE for memoir on earthworms [Bidrag till Skandinaviens Oligochaetfauna (1871)]. CD by chance is just now observing "one little point in their habits". Will be happy to learn something about the places frequented by the various species.

Obliged for ESM’s article ["On adaptive coloration of the Mollusca", Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 14 (1870–1): 141–5]. Glad to have error corrected about protective colouring of shells.

Wishes to have CD’s autograph.

Thanks for the letter, photograph, and kind words about CD’s scientific work. [See 8088.]

CTEvS’s view of pseudova is new to CD;

he has not yet received the recent work on parthenogenesis

though he did receive the memoir on Polistes.

Sends sheets [of the 6th ed. of Origin].

Thanks JVC for his letter about the sheep.

Praise of CD. Acknowledges his indebtedness to CD for defining the subject of plant fecundation.

Expecting CD’s work on the effects of cross-fertilisation.

CD has put him in touch with George Bentham.

Has frequently defended evolution and natural selection among his clergy brethren.

Now elicits CD’s views on chance.

Sends corrections for new French edition of Origin.

Gives publication date for J. C. Lavater, L’Art de connaître les hommes, 1806–9, edited by J. L. Moreau. The first four volumes appeared in 1806.

Sends a copy of Orchids for his wife, T. M. Story-Maskelyne, and a few other items she may wish to have.

Climbing Plants may be purchased at Williams and Norgate; he has no clean copies.

Refers GH to vol. 2, p. 431 of Variation for the "perplexed conclusion" at which CD has arrived on variation and design. Has nothing to add to this statement.

Thanks CD for papers he sent his wife. They will help her pass her time as an invalid.

Reply to CD’s letter of 5 Apr 1871 [7659], in which he asked HA for further details on when and how platysma myoides contracts.

Replies to CD’s questions about sources on leaf arrangement.

Gives news of speech and paper about CD.

Announces that the Société d’Anthropologie de Paris has elected CD a Foreign Associate.

Requests that PB express his thanks to the Société d’Anthropologie de Paris for the honour conferred upon him [see 8102].