Thanks TRRS for copy of his lecture [Darwinism (1869)]. Praises his "admirable example of liberality".

No summary available.

Discusses wear and tear due to glaciation and significance of this evidence for dating the glacial period. Mentions views of James Croll and Archibald Geikie on the issue.

Reception of ARW’s book, Malay Archipelago.

Thanks TCE for fawn’s head.

Wishes to introduce his son, George Howard Darwin.

Has glanced at the second of AdeQ’s articles on natural history in Revue de deux mondes; ordered first article but second is already out of print.

Transmits letter [from Fritz Müller].

Has been asked to permit a French translation of Orchids and Journal of researches.

At work on sexual selection.

Suggests best form of lettering for spine of Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin.

At writer’s request, forwards long letter on Comte by Vernon Lushington.

Apologises for passing on what he agrees were offensive remarks in V. Lushington’s letter. Has told VL he had no right to make them. Asks THH to make allowance for red-hot disciples defending the master.

Huxley has acknowledged receipt of VL’s letter. Both he and CD feel that some of VL’s statements were a little offensive although CD is sure this was not intended. Was glad to read the condensed statement of Comte’s claims in VL’s letter.

Thanks for specimen of Drosophyllum.

Describes capacity of various plants to catch flies.

Cannot name fern specimen.

Laugher pigeon descended from Columba livia.

Discusses tailless dogs.

Believes astronomical phenomenon responsible for oscillation of level of earth’s crust.

Would WCT like copy of Orchids?

Expected plants [Drosophyllum] have arrived.

Translation of Für Darwin has been published [Facts and arguments for Darwin (1869)].

Discusses dimorphic plants, commenting on FM’s observations on Oxalis.

Is greatly interested in Eschscholzia, which seems somewhat more self-sterile in Brazil than in England.

Thinks FM’s grass is "most wonderful".

Envies JDH’s Russian trip.

Thanks for information on Aucuba. Urges him to experiment – case "has highest physiological importance, not to mention Pangenesis".

Has heard that Huxley has been attacking views of Sir W. Thomson.

Has received 12 plants of Drosophyllum lusitanicum from Oporto.

Suggests that Cupples weigh puppies from one week old, rather than two weeks old.

On English edition of Für Darwin; CD’s gratitude and admiration.

Thanks for THH’s address [to Geological Society, Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 25 (1869): 28–53]. Admires it and enjoyed attack on William Thomson hugely, but would tremble if he were in THH’s boots. Distinction made by THH between evolutionists and uniformitarians is too great. CD’s sentences on age of world in Origin will do, but he might have been less timid had he read THH.

Asks about coat colour of elk,

the mane of American bison,

and about sexual preferences of female deer.

No summary available.

CD will supply the sheets of the new edition of the Origin [5th ed. (1869)] if JD goes ahead with his work [Kurze Darstellung der Lehre Darwin’s über die Entstehung der Arten der Organismen (1870)]. Has no objection to JD’s quoting him, but wonders whether the German publisher of Origin might not feel injured.