Thanks for gift of first part of AG’s magnificent work [Animaux fossiles du mont Léberon (1873)].

Thanks for a photograph of a donkey and children.

Orders a copy of the St Paul’s Magazine for February.

Will see whether formic acid delays germination of fresh seeds.

Thinks primer not at all a folly. Refers JDH to Asa Gray’s "child’s book" [see 8363].

Praises TWH’s Army life in a black regiment [1870]. CD always thought well of Negroes, and is delighted to have his impressions confirmed.

CD answers a question about the attitude of foreign naturalists towards Darwinism by distinguishing between the belief in evolution and belief in natural selection. Gives the views of [Louis] Agassiz, [R. A.] Kölliker, [C. W.] Nägeli, [Ernst] Häckel, [C. F. W.] Claus, [F. J.] Cohn, Alphonse de Candolle, [J. L.] Claparède, Asa Gray, Gaston de Saporta, [E. D.] Cope, and [Carl] Gegenbaur.

Hopes JC-B thinks that CD has properly acknowledged his debt in Expression.

No summary available.

Pleased that JC-B will review Expression.

Fears he will not be able to improve the book with JC-B’s "wonderfully curious" photographs because Murray printed such a large edition.

Would be glad to have JC-B’s notes on inheritance – "a most important subject".

Distressed by the poor health of GHD and Horace. Asks them to come home.

Thanks for HR’s valuable remarks about Expression, and returns HRs copy, signed.

Discusses some of HR’s anecdotes about children sucking their tongues.

Admits that the youth who trembled so that he could not reload his gun after killing his first snipe was himself, when a school-boy.

Much obliged for seeds. Will expose seeds to chemical vapours.

Comments on JTM’s spider experiments.

Asks about woodblocks of illustrations for Climbing plants [1875].

Astonished by Agassiz’s argument; has sent AG’s memorandum to Nature [see 8786].

Is working on cross- and self-fertilising plants and has temporarily stopped work on Drosera.

Recounts instances suggesting that animals have a sense of direction.

Is glad and proud to honour the memory of Adam Sedgwick [d. 1873].

Sorry that his health prevents him attending a meeting to honour Adam Sedgwick.

CD has discovered correspondent intends to present a petition to the House of Commons on which CD’s is the sole signature. Asks that his name be erased unless other signatures are added.

Does not understand TM’s views on sex and vitality.

Agrees no real "essences" in genera, only broken groups of species.

Thanks WP for his accounts of sagacity of dogs. "I can believe almost anything about them."