CD’s anxiety about being examined in court if Horsman [former curate at Down] brings suit. He doubts it will happen, but if so will defend himself to utmost.

Has pleasant recollections of his relations with JBI.

CD’s health has been poor.

Appreciates JBI’s letter and his expression of friendship.

In the opinion of a Q.C., Horsman has no case.

Interested in occurrence of hair on backs of weakly children. Asks PBM if he would report particulars of any case he observes during next 6–12 months.

Not surprised that JBI does not agree with him. Many professed naturalists do not. But there has been a great change since publication of Origin, and CD believes agreement on man will come soon, "as far as his corporeal frame is concerned".

Horsman has not been heard from.

The cat exhibition might provide information on unusual breeds of cats and their inheritance.

Expresses interest in deafness of white, blue-eyed cats.

Thanks for a quarto work on the mining industry. CD’s sons much obliged for kindness in California.

Asks for the negative and permission to publish photo of smiling girl. [Expression, p. 202, plate III, fig. 2.]

Comments on FG’s description of a séance at the house of William Crookes.

Will use FG’s words about [H. M. Butler’s] hereditary habit [in Expression, p. 33 n. 8].

Encourages FG to carry out investigation [of spiritualism]. However, his own health is too uncertain to accept Daniel Dunglas Home’s offer. Discusses possibility of reproducing Crookes’s apparatus for sale.

Orders sulphuric ether, nitric ether, chloroform, and prussic acid [for Drosera experiments? See Insectivorous plants, pp. 209, 219].

Much obliged for GHK and MHC’s General glaciation [of Iar-Connaught (1872)].

Will be in London for a week. Invites ARW to lunch.

Recommends H. Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873).

Thanks for TE’s work on [Beroe?] with illustrations of its parts [Zoologische Studien auf Capri 1 (1873)].

Thanks for assistance. He will write fully to Wallace tomorrow.

Will not require assistance of correspondent’s cousin in correcting his MS [2d ed. of Descent]. His son [George] will undertake it.

Thanks for copy of translation of Variation

and the "admirable work on the microscopical structure of rock" [C. G. Ehrenberg, Mikrogeologische Studien (1873)].

Has no objection to having his name appear as honorary member of [unidentified] club.

A certificate for admission [of Robert Swinhoe] to Royal Society with many signatures has been lost by the Post Office. Asks for another so he can get the signatures anew.

Encloses a statement and circular he has been asked to send to JL.