Has just arrived in London, and would like to visit the following morning at breakfast time.

Takes "much to heart" solar evidence for short age of the earth. Cites evidence for "long endurance of our existing continents". Comments on process of denudation.

Thanks EK for Julius Dub’s work [see 6961].

Has sent the new [5th] edition of Origin to Carus.

Thanks for Studies in general science [by A. B. Blackwell (1869)].

Masson et Fils have brought out a third French edition [of Origin] without informing CD and without the advantage of the corrections of the 4th and 5th English editions. For this and other reasons CD wants to give translation rights for the 5th English edition to C. Reinwald.

Thanks for confirmation about the extent of blushing.

Passed JP’s house but did not call; and now regrets his restraint.

Returns proofs of a notice which he finds "highly honourable" to himself.

Glad to hear the news about the professorship was partly erroneous, but still wishes JVC to have the rights to translate [Descent]. Has written to Herr Koch [of Schweizerbart], but not in such a way as to commit JVC to publish with him.

CD thanks FS for his note on Scolytus. Asks that his son [E. A. Smith] send proofs when the last woodcuts [for Coleoptera chapter of Descent] are completed.

Congratulates JDH on his becoming a C.B.

Hard at work on sexual selection – weary of everlasting males and females, cocks and hens.

Has read J. H. Stirling vs Huxley on protoplasm [As regards protoplasm (1869)]

and E. B. Tylor on survival of old thoughts in modern civilisation.

Bentham’s Linnean Society [Presidential] Address [see 6793] is worth its weight in gold in making converts. C. J. F. Bunbury is impressed by it.

Likes JDH’s review of K. F. Schimper’s work [Paléontologie végétale, in Nature 1 (1869): 48].

Comments on A. W. Bennett’s letter [Nature 1 (1869): 58] on fertilisation of winter-flowering plants. CD used net, not a bell-glass to cover Lamium.

Refers to F. Delpino’s observations on fertilisation of grasses; CD is glad to say these observations are compatible with "the very general law that distinct individual plants must be occasionally crossed".

Makes suggestions for French translation of Origin.

There is no hurry for information. Delighted that FCD is making experiments.

It was a sincere pleasure to make FCD’s acquaintance.

Thanks CGE for memoir on the Bacillariae of Mexico [Abh. K. Akad. Wiss. Berlin (Phys.) (1869): 1–66].

Glad to know about C.B.

Thinks better of Nature than JDH does.

Likes Academy.

Is reading Anton Kerner on Tubocytisus [in Die Abhängigkeit der Pflanzen von Klima und Boden (1869)].

The genealogical tree reveals the very steps of the formation of the species.

Mlle Royer has brought out a third edition of her translation of the Origin without informing CD, so corrections to fourth and fifth English editions are lost. Has arranged for a new translator of the fifth English edition.

Encloses a few additions [missing] for new [4th] German edition of Origin

and a new application to publish translation of [Descent].

Thanks GC for his assistance. "The data for all that I have to say about the Scotch deer-hound are, owing to you, almost sufficient; and much better data than I have got in many other cases." [See Descent 2: 260.]

Believes Dr Stirling would be compelled to admit some change in "the famous protoplasm in our domestic races, both in regard to the structure of the body & qualities of the mind".

Glad Dareste is candidate for Paris Chair. No subject more important than modification of structure by direct action of changed conditions, and Dareste has thrown much light on subject. Believes monstrosities cannot be separated from slighter variations.

Sends corrections of JJM’s translation of Origin. Sends preface.

Sends title of Kerner’s book [see 6997] and comments that AK does not give the one parent form of the genus.