Has read GH’s proofs and, although not entirely in agreement, has no criticisms worth sending.

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

Thanks for birthday greetings.

Comments on work at Naples Zoological Station. F. M. Balfour to visit Naples. Would like to send third son [Francis Darwin] to learn art of observing marine animals.

Health indifferent.

Has sent FM’s letter on termites to Nature ["Habits of various insects", Nature 10 (1874): 102–3].

Would be interested in observations on the stingless bees of Brazil.

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.

No summary available.

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.

Returns proofs; has no criticisms or remarks worth sending.

On the "doubtful & obscure" subject of marriage of cousins, CD believes, that judging from the analogy of animals, no direct evil would follow from their marriage. He would, however, expect the offspring of unrelated parents to be somewhat superior in size and vigour. The injury from the increase of any bad tendency common to the family seems to CD more to be feared than mere consanguinity; "the good effects of crossing distinct families I look at as great & undoubted".

Thanks for facts on inheritance

Thinks CST’s paper (C. S. Tomes 1874) about the enamel on the teeth of the armadillo is most remarkable.

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.

No summary available.

At the suggestion of Crichton-Browne CD writes on behalf of his son George, who is making a study of marriages between first cousins and of their offspring to determine the proportion of the latter who may be among the insane, deaf and dumb, idiotic, blind etc. Is GES willing to ask his patients [at the Royal Albert Asylum] for the information relevant to this study?

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