Astonished at JDH’s success versus Galton

and his attack on Murray is superb. Has written a formal letter to Mivart enumerating his offences.

Thanks GB for his "Report on [the recent progress and present state of] systematic botany" [Rep. BAAS (1874): 27–54] and for the way in which he refers to CD’s book.

Discusses subscriptions for the Naples Zoological Station.

Thanks for note and extract.

Will be glad to read AH’s memoir when published [? "The Jurassic and Cretaceous Ammonites collected in South America by Prof. James Orton" Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. [Proc Mem Jnl!?] 17 (1875): 365–72].

Recalls AH’s visit to Down.

Thanks Council for their kindness; even if he had known that the right to reprint papers was a recognised one he would have asked the Council’s consent [before reprinting Climbing plants?].

Thanks for two German letters about translations, which he has answered. The enclosed one contains a proposal for CD’s correspondent to bring out a translation of a very successful German book, and must be answered by the correspondent.

Turns down an offer to undertake a German translation of one of his works.

CD expresses his high opinion of BGW’s papers. Thinks one on brains of dogs particularly valuable ["Anatomical papers on brain of dogs", Rep. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. (1874)].

Sends suggestions for observations on glacial phenomena that might be made on the [Polar] expedition [of H. M. S. Alert and Discovery, 1875–6].

The review of EBT’s book ["Primitive Man: Tylor and Lubbock"] in the Quarterly Review [137: 40–77] last year contained a false and malicious attack on CD’s son George. CD knows it was written by St George Mivart. CD wishes to take every opportunity to say how false a man he considers him to be.

Asks AG to forward [unspecified] enclosure to Chauncey Wright.

Is happy to send his autograph.

[Provides directions for travel to Down by train.]

Begs FD’s pardon: his notes on Utricularia amethystina are on same page with those on U. nelumbifolia.

Comments on GJ’s book [In Sachen Darwins ins-besondere contra Wigand (1874)]. Not convinced that there are species which are fixed or variable independently of the conditions to which they are subjected.

Asks that enclosed letter be posted for him.

Thanks JVC for errata [in Descent, 2d ed.].

Discusses work in progress and publication plans.

Will be pleased to receive concluding volume of JVC’s Zoologie [see 8531].

The Zoological Station has already resulted in "capital work" by F. M. Balfour and Ray Lankester. G. J. Romanes is coming next year.

CD will be interested in AD’s ancestry of vertebrates. "I shall be very sorry to give up the ascidians."

Thanks for information about effect of fear on the iris.

Rejoices at AG’s "honourable & important" position [Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum].