Describes some crosses he has carried out with Primula;

mentions the infertility of cherimoyer [Annona cherimola] in England.

AD is sorry CD thinks publication of Descent a mistake. The excitement shows it was necessary for someone to speak plainly.

His great difficulties (Italian indolence, dishonesty, hatred) in establishing zoological station. Can at last start construction.

Defends Descent against CD’s self-disparagement. The parts on the moral sense seem to him the finest in the book.

Accepts CD’s proposal for new revised edition of Origin; will pay $50 [dollars or pounds!?] for casts of the plates and pay CD on sales.

Appleton edition of CD’s Journal of researches [1871] still selling well.

Also wants plates sent with CD’s new work on Expression. CD should arrange this with Murray’s.

Thanks for new [6th] edition of Origin, which he read with great interest. Would welcome an edition with references to works cited.

Compares Origin to Newton’s Principia and Adam Smith’s Wealth of nations.

His view of CD’s response to Mivart.

On mammae;

gradualism of evolution;

suicide among savages.

Received copy of Origin 6th ed. Has had trouble with worm measurements at Winchester.

Saw editor of the Pall Mall Gazette about review of Origin and Genesis of species.

Enclosed account has had charged against it difference in costs between type composition in the U. S. and securing stereotype plates from Murray. CD should insist on securing plates from the London publisher of all future books, otherwise Appleton unable to pay 10% of gross price.

Asks for investment advice.

Wants AR to make any observations she can on the occurrence of little ledges on the side of steep, turf-covered slopes. Feels they may result from the washing down of worm-castings.

Reports the case of a cockerel raised in isolation from other cocks which repeatedly attempted, but failed, to crow properly.

Also discusses behaviour in horses; one male will "look after" 20–25 females.

Amount of clay present in certain chalk samples.

Disagrees with the "Darwinian theory"; does not see evidence enough to support it. Will send CD any notes he makes for or against.

Glad AW’s eyesight is better.

Has received AW’s essay [Einfluss der Isolierung (1872)].

Glad he is turning attention to sexual selection. Hardly any naturalists agree with CD on subject.

AE, philosophy professor, is disposed to accept natural selection, but argues that it lacks direction. Suggests that direction would be given if one assumed the appearance of multiple advantageous traits in a single individual. Cites Herbert Spencer, Rudolf Virchow, Claude Bernard, and Carl Vogt.

No summary available.

David Forbes thinks WED’s chalk samples have been penetrated by surface mud.

Sends information on composition of chalk at Shoreham and Folkestone.

Thanks CD for Origin, 6th ed.

Has declined chair at Strasbourg.

Describes research on calcareous sponges.

Criticises Pangenesis.