Louis Agassiz’s ill health means AG will not get an answer to CD’s query from him. Suggests CD ask Agassiz’s son, Alexander.

Has no details about the origin of the cat-like behaviour of his dog.

Forwards part of a note [by Mrs L. Agassiz] asking AG to tell CD that Agassiz has never been able to secure one of the fishes sitting on eggs.

In P.S., AG adds, "Agassiz evidently regrets having abused you in former times."

The "man-essay" [Descent] is "very interesting but very difficult".

Cat-like behaviour in dogs.

Thanks for information from Louis Agassiz;

wishes he could feel he deserves what Alexander Agassiz says of him.

Statement of sales of U. S. edition of Origin.

Reports case of apparent incipient dimorphism. Observations on variations in flower structure, especially style length, within species of Polemoniaceae.

Believes AG’s cases of incipient dimorphism are due to mere variability. Has found examples in Nolana and Amsinckia; believes such variation is the basis for the development of dimorphism. Was unaware of variations in Phlox.

Sensitivity of Drosera and Dionaea.

JDH thanks Asa Gray for sending him some apples. He & Mr Smith compare the variety sent, the 'Northern Spy', to English apples including the 'Ribstone Pippen' & the 'Nonsuch'. Discusses his work on the Rubiaceae family including the genera: Psychotria, Cephaelis, Nonateleiae[?], Rudgea ,Palicourea, Chasalia & Grumilea. Next he will work on Borreroids, including Hedyotoids. George Bentham is working on Compositae, currently struggling with Gnaphalia. JDH's wife, Frances Hooker, has finished translating Decaisne & Maout & Hooker himself did some work on the introduction. [John Gilbert] Baker is working on Monocots. [Thomas] Thomson is neglecting his work on the FLORA INDICA & there are problems with the printing & the length. JDH intends to take over editorship & organize it into a shorter manual with the different orders contributed by expert authors. JDH's mother, Lady Maria Hooker, is ill in Torquay but recovering. JDH thanks Gray for Cytinus, Apodanthes, a paper on Galax & his attention to Rubiaceae. JDH must put off his trip to California, he worries he is getting too old but takes comfort that Sir H. Holland just went over the Blue mountains of Jamaica aged over 80. Murchison has Hemiplegia & has resigned himself to death, his likely successor as President of the Geographical Society is Sir H. Rawlinson. Letter appears incomplete & is unsigned but is written in the hand of Joseph Dalton Hooker.

Sends questions on expressions of Laura Bridgman.

Has finished Descent. Believes that parts, like that on moral sense, will aggravate AG.

Working on an essay on expression.

Has received CD’s new book [Descent].

Will try to get answer to CD’s queries on Laura Bridgman.

Is reading Descent.

Encloses some answers to CD’s queries about expressions of Laura Bridgman.

CD’s sons, George and Francis, are to visit the U. S. Can AG supply any letters of introduction?

AG hopes to meet CD’s sons, who are visiting America.

Has seen CD’s sons.

Questions AG on earthworm activity in North America and would welcome information from northern Canada if AG has a correspondent there.

Notes the occurrence in U. S. of "vermiform piles" produced by earthworms.

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

Sends, via C. L. Brace, his book [Botany for young people, pt 2 How plants behave (1872)], "your own science adapted to juvenile minds".

O. N. Rood sends two copies of an amusing picture by T. F. Beard, "The young Darwinian" to AG, who forwards one to CD.

Thanks for AG’s book, How plants behave [see 8363].

Is correcting proofs of Expression.

No summary available.