The Bishop of Falkland [Waite Hockin Stirling] is coming to visit BJS, who will question him for CD.

Discusses politics; regrets they have been badly beaten by the Tory candidate.

Comments on G. H. Lewes’s book [The life and works of Goethe (1855)].

Matters of etiquette concerning his certificate for the Royal Society.

Sends about 15 sheets on instinct from his book [A philosophical treatise on the nature and constitution of man (1876)] for CD’s comments.

Asks CD if he can reconcile a passage in Mark Hopkins’ Outline study of man [1873] with the theory of development.

Prefaces Fritz Müller’s observations on termites and stingless bees [see 9281].

Birthday greetings.

On the decline of population of the Hawaiian Islands, before advent of Europeans; infanticide, polyandry.

On the declining population of the Hawaiian Islands [see Descent (1875), pp. 186–7, 187–8 n. 43].

Signs Robert Swinhoe’s certificate [for the Royal Society] with pleasure.

Statistics showing rate of decline of population in Sandwich Islands, 1832–72.

Feels CD’s and Fritz Müller’s judgments on his "Anwendung" essay [see 8313] are of highest value. Mentions some of FM’s comments.

Looks forward to second English edition of Descent.

Inherited dental abnormalities in man. [Enclosed are proofs of pp. 113–16 from J. Tomes, A system of dental surgery, 2d ed. (1873).]

Offers information on pea-fowl for new edition of Variation.

Sends his observations on the fertilisation of Hedychium gardnerianum by sphinx moths. Did not look for pollen on the wing tips.

Asks HBT to sign certificate [for Royal Society] for Robert Swinhoe.

Criticises sexual selection theory. Supports natural selection.

Gives CD references on proportion of sexes in spiders.

Gives the answers of two of the best dog breeders to CD’s queries.

Reports on a female black-winged pea-fowl at his home in Ireland.

Thanks for HHHvZ’s translation of Expression. CD will have HHHvZ’s notes translated by one of his sons.