Is delighted at the sale of Descent. What CD says about her help pleases her very much and the proposed gift as a memorial will be very precious to her. Is looking forward to seeing the family in London. Comments on a letter comparing CD's appearance to an ape. Is surprised CD has had no effect on Wallace: 'It seems to me his mind can’t be so clear as u used to think it'. Has worked out why she is dissatisfied with T. H. Huxley's essay ‘On the physical basis of life’ (T. H. Huxley 1869).

No summary available.

Comments on WRG’s MS on ratio of the sexes at birth.

Offers to send J. M. A. Thury’s paper ["Loi de production des sexes", Arch. Sci. Phys. & Nat. 18 (1863): 91–8].

Thanks PH for his memoir on Poterion [Natuurkd. Verh. Utrecht 2 (1870)].

Asks name of an Abutilon from Fritz Müller.

Questions about Drosophyllum for experiments;

the meaning of "Sirdar".

Wonderful success of Descent. Astonished by liberality of public. No abuse yet.

Marvels at JDH’s plans for a trip to Morocco. Asks him to look for alpine insects.

Is astonished at sale [of Descent]. Will make no additions, but must correct a few misprints and errors [for third issue].

Reiterates his congratulations to AQ for his work on statistics. Believes AQ will have many readers. Mentions that JH is now eighty years old.

JDH informs his wife Frances Hooker, that he is on a steamer from Tangiers to Mogadore [Essaouira] & will send this letter by means of a passing vessel going in the opposite direction to Marseille. The boat they are on is good one but the sea is rough & he & his companion [George] Maw are suffering with sea sickness & lack of appetite but [John] Ball is unaffected. JDH send his regards to all at Pendock, & expresses an intention to write to the 'President of the Wanderers' there [Reverend William Samuel Symonds] if he can remember how to spell his surname. They lay off the coast near Rabat earlier in the day but were unable to communicate with the town. There is a Frenchman on board trying to cure his sea sickness by holding lemon-halves on his temples. Sir. J. Hay has informed them that everything is ready for their trip but JDH is anxious to get to Mogadore & make plans, he thinks the trip may take longer than previously predicted. Mr White the consul at Tangier was a pupil of JDH's Uncle, Reverend William Jacobson, at Oxford University & send his regards along with the gift of cup made from Fez earthenware. JDH has met with a Mr Cardwell, a nephew of the War Minister [Edward Cardwell], who is travelling aimlessly. JDH gives some instruction for Mr [John] Smith regarding care of bulbs. [Edward] Crump is a good man, also currently sea sick.

Copy of and note on a picture of Noah’s daughter averting her eyes in shame.