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.

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.

Sends dirt residue of chalk samples for David Forbes to examine.

Response to 6th ed. of Origin. CD’s answer to Mivart on initial stages of modifications is complete; the "eye and ear objection" is not handled so satisfactorily.

A. S. Packard would like to visit CD to pay his respects.

P.S. Information on earthworm activity on chalk downs, including two rough sketches for CD.

Down parish and family matters.

JM arranges to pay CD for the latest issue of Descent.

Wishes to use some of Fritz Müller’s observations in his paper on mimicry.

CD’s reply and Huxley’s article ["Mr Darwin’s critics", Contemp. Rev. 18 (1871): 443–76] have answered all of Mivart’s objections to natural selection as applied to man.

Has just finished his work [? The martyrdom of man (1872)]. The new points are: (1) Negroes have whiskers; (2) their music is sometimes agreeable; (3) the Kaffirs are Negroes.