Comments on Hermann Crüger’s paper, sent by CD, on fertilisation of orchids [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 127–35].

Observations on dichogamy in grasses (wheat, rye, barley).

Has not yet read CD’s reply to his article on Pangenesis [Collected papers 2: 158–60].

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

Thinks it best for Murray’s to engrave the "Monkeys", etc. for themselves.

Comments on Huxley’s address ["Geological reform", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 25 (1869): xxxviii–liii].

Physicists have ignored variation in sea-level in calculating effects.

Doubts if sun only source of heat.

Notes average depth of sea is 15 times height of land.

Criticises CD’s concept of permanent continents.

Sedimentary strata of Alleghenies must have derived from continent located where Atlantic is. Thinks enormous amount of denudation, submergence, and elevation may have accompanied relatively insignificant organic changes.

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.

Weight statistics on deerhound puppies born 23 Sept 1869.

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

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

Sends a "guess" about Mimosa leaf structure as an answer to one of CD’s questions.

Has found a Passiflora princeps.

Reinwald will be pleased to publish Descent.

He would also like to publish a Moulinié translation of the latest English edition of Origin. Negotiations with the old publisher are needed.

Sends reference to stridulation in an article about Scolytus by Dr Chapman "Observations on the economy of British species of Scolytus", Entomol. Mon. Mag. 6 (1870): 126–31.

Thanks CD for his kind offer [of translation rights for Descent].

Feels it a duty to make CD’s "way of looking to fields [recte facts] under the guidance of ideas" known to his countrymen, especially since zoologists and physiologists seem to think science is nothing but the accumulation of facts and have almost forgotten to reason about them.

Explains that, contrary to Carl Vogt’s report to CD, he continues as Professor of Comparative Anatomy at Leipzig, but he has failed to get the place of the late Professor of Zoology, as he had hoped.

The Polyzoa CD saw emerging from cells of a particular growth appear to be parasites. The main growth is a species of Sertularia; the minute parasites take possession of vacated cells.

Discusses cross-fertilisation in Vinca.

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.

JM advises CD regarding his relations with Masson, the French publisher of the Origin [1866], and the possibility of Reinwald’s publishing a translation of the 5th edition.

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.