Thanks CD for his interesting papers.

Comments on proof-sheets of Variation.

His revisions of Principles of geology, 10th ed.

Asks whether JM is interested in publishing A. E. Brehm, Illustrirtes Thierleben [4 vols. (1864–7)], which has had immense sale on the continent.

Is making good progress with proofs [of Variation].

Thanks WBT for proofs of his new book [Pigeons (1868)].

Hopes he still intends to try the experiment with dyed pigeons.

Was surprised to hear of B. P. Brent’s death.

Supposes that infants’ eyes bulge and become engorged with blood during fits of sneezing or screaming, but doubts Charles Bell’s experiment of opening and observing eyes turn from pale to red [Anatomy and philosophy of expression (1844)].

Discusses the action of the eye when looking at distant objects.

He is unacquainted with Brehm’s work [Thierleben]. Asks that a volume be sent so he can form an opinion on publishing it.

Will do his best to get observations on expression among the Chinese.

Reports observations on hedgehogs collecting fruit with their spines.

Discusses the domestic pig of Formosa, its wild ancestors, and its capacity to breed with other races.

Sends the four volumes [of Brehm’s Thierleben] for Murray’s consideration.

Thanks for reply to queries. Spectroscope an instance of unimagined glorious prospects of science.

Thanks for CV’s Mémoire sur les microcéphales [1867]. Curious how CD and CV have come to similar conclusions about atavism.

Thanks AG for sending W. M. Canby’s letter on Dionaea. Although already familiar with the facts concerning the secretions, the letter "fires me up to complete and publish on Drosera, Dionæa, etc."

Reports observations, as requested by CD, on expression in chimpanzees and orangs at Zoological Garden, London [see Expression, p. 95].

Is not sure he thinks so much of BDW’s argument in his last paper as of some others he advanced. Is BDW sure Lucanidae use jaws for holding female in copulation rather than for fighting other males?

He is planning a new journal to replace Natural History Review. Unlike the old one, it would be confined to reviews and would include an index of works on travel.

Proposes writing a note for Linnean Society ["Note on the structure of Genista tinctoria", J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 10 (1869): 468], in part using information CD gave him at Down.

Queries about expressions in crying monkeys.

Has received letter from Hermann Müller on orchid fertilisation.

Made aware by Asa Gray of error with respect to Cypripedium. Does not doubt it is self-fertilised.

Discusses a rare shell found by BJS on the Beagle voyage, an account of which has just been written by Davidson [possibly in Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3d ser. 20 (1867): 81–3].

His opinion of two novels: Mary Barton and North and south [both by Mrs Gaskell].

Sends R. O. Cunningham’s letters.

Sends ten different forms of Draba and Jordan’s instructions on when to sow seeds.

Reports sterility of a cross of two varieties of Papaver.

Thanks CD for a memoir.