Is glad his notes on ducks are useful; would like them back when CD has finished with them as they might help him to put the South American Anatidae in order.

Asks for information on feeding habits of Egyptian goose.

Thanks RFA for extracts.

Does not believe resemblances can be produced as RFA suggests, but would not deny that a strong mental shock may cause arrest of embryonic development and thus give rise to monstrosities.

Replies on how Egyptian geese feed in the water; they do not move heads laterally like ducks sifting water; they tear herbage like common geese.

Returns CD’s MS [for Origin 6th ed.] on the defensive organs of the Polyzoa, with his comments.

Cannot accept JJW’s invitation to a party. His health has been worse than usual for some months – can see no one nor can he go anywhere.

Is preparing a cheap edition of the Origin [6th] and will answer Mivart’s objections.

CD is pleased JJW likes C. Wright’s "Darwinism" [see 7940]. Huxley will publish a splendid review of it in Contemporary Review [Nov 1871].

Thanks for note received.

On visit to Boston was told by N. S. Shaler how habits of rattlesnake are consistent with natural selection. Informs CD, as rattlesnake is considered by some a difficult case for his theory.

Sends two papers ["On the physical relations of the new red marl", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 27 (1871): 189–98 and "On the red rocks of England", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 27 (1871): 241–54] bearing on the continuance of generic and specific terrestrial types, in areas of Europe and elsewhere, that lasted from the Upper Silurian to the Lias.

Comments on lamellae in Prion. Offers to send specimen for CD to examine.

Thanks ACR for papers.

Glad present situation of our continents has been confirmed.

Wishes ACR would prove his view of origin of Red Sandstones, which many dispute.

CD would like to see the Prion [see 8016]. May he immerse the head in warm water so as to open the beak? Directions for sending the parcel.

"Like you I have often wondered at the different food of the old and young, as with graminivorous birds feeding their young with insects."

Recommends forthcoming book by John Lubbock [Monograph of the Collembola and Thysanura (1873)].

Fox hopes to see CD in London in November.

Seeks HH’s support for Hooker in JDH’s difficulties with A. S. Ayrton and the Ministry of Works [see Nature 6 (1872): 211–16].

JDH’s servant carries his letter to Henry Holland about problems with Ayrton. Suggests servant take CD’s letter to Holland to town and post them at same time. Holland is said to be very intimate friend of Gladstone.

Has written to Henry Holland in strongest terms. Will be surprised and disappointed if he does not accede to JDH’s request.

CD agitated by JDH’s letter. Forgot to say that he heard Henry Holland was going to Turin. Beseeches JDH not to resign. No one could possibly replace him.

JDH has no intention of resigning. Thinks W. E. Gladstone would rather see Ayrton turned out than himself. Gladstone knows JDH has friends who would be troublesome. Only moral and political cowardice of Cabinet keeps Ayrton in office.

Lyell is much altered since autumn.

Has CD read Charles Martins’ paper on the glacial origin of the tourbières of the Jura [Arch. Sci. Phys. & Nat. 42 (1871): 286–308]?

John Scott has an admirable series on horticulture in Bengal ["Notes on horticulture in Bengal", J. Agric. & Hortic. Soc. India 2 (1871) pt 1: 241–96; 3 (1872) pt 1: 1–82].

Glad CD agrees with his views as much as he does. Not surprised that his red rocks [Red Sandstones] ideas are disputed. The red marls of Auvergne support his inland water theory.