The conversion of Asa Gray must be a pleasure.

CD’s doctrine accounts for and gives a vera causa of structures.

Discusses F. Hildebrand’s book.

Would like to borrow CD’s carriage on polling day.

After examining a basket of piebald potatoes he does believe them to be a graft-hybrid as Friedrich Hildebrand might suggest.

Much interested in WDF’s letter on inheritance and courtship of birds. CD "in a great muddle" on many points.

Asks for further information on proportion of sexes in sheep.

Potato graft-hybrid fails to give potatoes.

August Weismann requests Wallace’s address to find out about experiments on butterflies hinted at in Variation.

Arrangements for polling.

The position at Geological Society is now vacant, and he is working for it in earnest. Asks CD for a testimonial.

Continues his work on Für Darwin.

Thanks for [Natürliche] Schöpfungsgeschichte [1868]. "What an indomitable worker you are."

Agrees with EH’s Entstehung des Menschengeschlechts [1868].

Asks permission to dedicate to CD his book on the fossil animals and geology of Attica [Animaux fossiles et géologie de l’Attique (1862–7)]. CD will find much in it relating to the "filiation" of species, genera, and families.

Thanks CD for comments [on Entstehung des Menschengeschlechts].

Comments on Goethe and Kant as early evolutionists.

Describes birth of his son. Mentions child’s "atavisms".

A letter strongly recommending him for the post of Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society.

Further arrangements for polling. Everything looks well. [Ellen Lubbock notes, "he is too sanguine – ".]

Disappointed that he missed CD. Hopes still to see him in the flesh.

Has CD seen August Weismann’s inaugural address [see 6297]?

CD is welcome to come for breakfast on Sunday.

Arranges to call on GHL.

Suggests FH’s graft-hybrid potatoes should remain with FH.

Sends addresses of Alfred Russel Wallace and Alexander Wallace for August Weismann.

Acknowledges receipt of £259 11s. 10d.

Obliged for JH’s good account of Francis Hardy’s management of Beesby Farm.

Thanks for Botanische Zeitung notice of CD’s paper ["On the character and hybrid-like nature of the offspring from the illegitimate unions of dimorphic and trimorphic plants", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 10 (1869): 393–437]. FH writes clearest style of all German authors.

Asks that August Weismann be told about papers by Wallace and Bates.

Thanks CD for kind and flattering testimonial.

Is interested to know whether there are differences in the period of development of horns in sheep in those breeds in which horns are common to both sexes, and in those in which horns are confined to males.