CD does not feel a subscription could be got up to aid correspondent. Sends a cheque for £10.

Is sorting material collected by the Challenger and wonders whether CD would care to examine the cirripedes.

‘The pigs-foot has been dispatched to day per Rail.’

Discusses abnormal pig’s foot sent to him by CD.

Some years ago he would have been delighted to take up the Cirripedia collected on the Challenger expedition, but feels that the subject has largely passed out of his mind.

Pigeons’ skins dispatched today.

Sends MS about pigeons.

Thanks GK for the seeds of the Melastomaceae

and skins of the pigeons,

and forwards a note to Dr Scully.

Can CD explain why house sparrows persist in trying to build a nest in a spot from which it is daily removed?

"I have always been inclined to think that sparrows were acute & crafty birds, but you certainly show that they are Fools, & if they go on behaving in so idiotic a manner, you will do quite right to expose their conduct in some public Journal!--"

Is printing a book on dimorphic plants [Forms of flowers] in which he will make considerable use of FM’s work.

French translation of Insectivorous plants published.

Climbing plants has not sold well.

Discusses the structure of the human cranium, in particular a find by Cocchi and observations by Canestrini.

Offers a supplementary component to sexual selection which CD ignored in Descent: the direct effect of differences in ardour between males and females.

Requests observations on sensitive Mimosa and movements of plants in rain.

Worm-castings.

Received Moritz Wagner’s essays [Das Ausland (May 1875)] and sent him a long letter [10643] disagreeing with his views because they do not explain adaptation.

Thanks for Büchner’s essay [Die Darwin’sche Theorie, 4th ed. (1876)].

Has read a German author’s exposition of CD’s theory.

Believes "missing link" between higher mammals and man consists of a race of "speaking monkeys" – akin to Africans – who pollute blood of better race and impede civilisation.

Further discussion of structure of abnormal pig’s foot.

Stripes on animals curious subject for investigation. Not likely to take it up again.

Recommends cutting plant stems under water.

Is less certain of views in letter of 17 May [10963]. Asserts interest in explaining the presence of "speaking monkeys", which occur in higher as well as lower classes.