V. O. Kovalevsky, Russian translator [of Variation], wishes to hear THH lecture.

Chickens have arrived safely.

Sends letter from Candolle [6915] proposing an experiment with seeds that seems excellent. CD has little time and strength but will do his best. If the staff at Kew could do it, it would be wisest to hand the whole lot over to JDH.

Mentions views of Sars on species.

EH’s work on Siphonophora.

Has forwarded the horse’s tooth, sent by JO, to Huxley, who may be able to identify it.

Writes, as county magistrate, in an attempt to get payment from the Club for a Mr Reeves.

Sympathises with THF at being forestalled by Delpino, but urges him to publish confirmation.

Thanks AdeC for his interesting letter [6915]. The experiment strikes CD as a very valuable one. CD has forwarded the letter to Hooker, who is glad to make the trial. CD will have many experiments in progress next spring but he will open the packet of seeds and if they are numerous, will try a few himself.

Is glad that JDH is willing to try Candolle’s experiment [see 6915]. Encloses all the seeds except a few taken from the Moscow and Palermo packets.

Cautions FD about fluid in labellum of Coryanthes.

T. H. Farrer is enthusiastic about FD’s papers.

Believes humming-birds fertilise many American flowers.

Mentions his reply to FD’s criticisms ["Pangenesis: Mr Darwin’s reply to Professor Delpino", Sci. Opin. 2 (1869): 426; Collected papers 2: 158–60].

Suggests that FD study fertilisation of Gramineae.

Delighted with THH’s review [in Academy (1869)] of Haeckel’s [Natürliche] Schöpfungsgeschichte [1868],

but groans about THH’s view of rudimentary organs. Cites Origin and Variation.

CD gets so many foolish letters from foolish people he has little heart to write to friends.

Gives Down news.

R. H. Hutton, editor of the Spectator, is a clever man.

CD has been much abused, praised, and chaffed by newspapers lately.

Replies to F. Delpino’s criticisms of Pangenesis [Sci. Opin. 2 (1869): 365–7, 391–3, 407–8], especially concerning the difficulty of explaining the regrowth of amputated organs.

Comments on notes made by THF on Passiflora and Tacsonia. Suggests he examine more species. Recalls his own observations on P. princeps and Tacsonia.

No summary available.

Anticipates that all their differences are fated to find expression in projected book on man.

Offers his early MS with useful references related to the distribution of animals. Hopes ARW’s book will not be "little".

His book [Descent] will not be ready for a year because of his health and the laboriousness of work on sexual selection. Has deferred arrangements for German translation, but would feel secure with JVC. Carl Vogt has offered to translate it.

Would be delighted to have JJM translate new book [Descent].

Can CD legally bring out new edition of Origin in France with new publisher? Has been ill-used by V. Masson and C. Royer. Wants edition without Royer’s preface.

Thanks for Die Abhängigkeit der Pflanzengestalt von Klima und Boden (Kerner 1869).

Has received a letter from Carl Vogt, expressing his readiness to translate Descent at the request of the publisher Franz Anton Ricker