Printed memorandum giving reasons why there should be subsidy on a large scale of scientific research unencumbered with teaching.

The Natural Philosophical Society [Academy of Sciences] will publish his translation of Origin in August, before Descent.

A distinguished member of the Hungarian Parliament attacked CD’s theory. LD answered, and a controversy ensued.

LD has noted many signs of public support for CD.

Thanks AD for kind review of Expression. AD’s remarks on necessity of tracing development of functions are novel and valuable.

Comments on BTL’s book [The philosophy of evolution (1873)].

"You are a bold man to speak in favour of pangenesis."

J. V. Carus’ lecture.

Edinburgh intellectual climate.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s visit to Edinburgh.

J. H. Stirling did not write anonymous review of Expression in Edinburgh Review. Suggests T. Spencer Baynes of St Andrews. [? T. S. Baynes, "Darwin on expression", 137 (1873): 492–528.]

Invites CD on a voyage to the western coast of North and South America.

Thanks for report on J. V. Carus’ lecture.

Glad to hear suspicion about J. H. Stirling groundless.

CD has not seen R. W. Emerson. In last two or three years has seen several Yankees. Saw a good deal of the Nortons [Charles Eliot and Susan Ridley Sedgwick].

News of Naples Zoological Station developments.

His remarks on physiology in the Academy were aimed at Prof. Ludwig and his school.

The usual "exact" methods in experimental physiology want only a little pushing to put an end to superstition.

Recounts how he had worked out the explanation of Rhizocephala morphology via the Anelasma – an example of both the power of inheritance and the power of genealogical investigation. R. Kossman’s work has now confirmed AD’s explanation.

Is obliged because of health to decline the invitation [see 8938] to make a voyage on the Admiral’s ship. "… I must rest contented with past memories …"

Has been discussing spontaneous generation with William Robinson of the Garden. Reports having found grubs that developed in an undamaged, hard-boiled egg. Has similarly treated eggs if CD wants to investigate.

Is glad to hear LD’s translation [of Origin (1873–4)] progresses well.

Offers to send a photograph of himself.

Reports on insects fertilising Viola tricolor and on the fertilisation of the two wild forms [see Cross and self-fertilisation, p. 124 n., 125].

Apologises for having given CD some unreliable information.

Thanks for sending Experimental researches. He will read it as soon as he finishes a book in hand. [See 8965.]

Thanks AG for information [unspecified]; so trifling an error will not alter his opinion that AG is "the most accurate of men".

Observations on expression.

Sends information on Lathyrus odoratus, Phaseolus multiflorus and Pisum sativum.

Thanks EWL for his book about hydropathy [Old medicine and new (1873)].

CM and Henri Sicard have given what CM thinks is the first zoology course in France based on descent of species.

In Rome he was struck by ancient Greek statues of mythical figures which use the idea of environmental influence. Ascribes these ideas to both CD and Lamarck.

Wishes JSBS to look over an abstract of his Drosera experiments and to answer some questions on it.