Thanks for gift of Souvenirs d’un naturaliste (Quatrefages 1854).

Can AdeQ ask M. J. P. Flourens about experiments which show that hybrid offspring of dogs, wolves and jackals are sterile between themselves in the third generation.

CD cannot obtain a copy of Dureau de la Malle’s work on breeds of horse: can AdeQ assist?

The information correspondent hopes to get from M.-J.-P. Flourens will be valuable.

CD is keeping all varieties of pigeons, poultry, ducks, etc. for his work on variation.

Mentions English scientists who support mutability of species.

Asks QdeB whether he could help locate a French translator and publisher.

Asks if Quatrefages has found anyone to translate Origin into French, because P. T. A. Talandier, although not a naturalist, wishes to do so.

Discusses P. T. A. Talandier as possible translator [of Origin].

Comments on reception of book in North America and opposition of Louis Agassiz.

Asks about reaction of Henri Milne-Edwards.

QdeB’s lectures on anthropology.

Comments on QdeB’s [Études sur les maladies actuelles du ver à soie (1860)].

Has failed to find French publisher for Origin.

Comments on QdeB’s Unité de l’espèce humaine [1861].

Discusses acceptance of his theory among scientists, especially geologists.

C. V. Naudin did not show how selection applied in nature, but Patrick Matthew clearly anticipated CD’s views.

Can AdeQ verify the statement that the moths of the several races of the common silkworm are very similar?

When the female moth comes out of the cocoon, are her wings less developed than those of a male moth at the same stage?

Thanks for answers to CD’s questions; would appreciate any new information on similarity of moths of distinct races.

CD has been "atrociously abused by religious countrymen, but it does not hurt except when it comes from an old friend like Prof. Owen".

Wishes French translator of Origin had known more natural history.

Specimens obtained from Charles Martins will be most interesting.

Comments on QdeB’s book [Physiologie comparée (1862)].

The niata is a very good case because the race is well established and must originate in South America. There is a description of the head by [Richard] Owen in the Descriptive catalogue of the osteological collection of the College of Surgeons.

Has observed modifications in the skeletons of rabbits, ducks, poultry, and pigeons. There is an extract about modifications in pigeons in the first chapter of Origin. Encloses a woodcut of crested or polish fowls; there is a change in the brain as well as in the exterior bones.

Is sending photographs of the niata skull [requested in 4082]. W. H. Flower reports that he could have a cast made for £3.3s.0d.

Wishes to introduce his son, George Howard Darwin.

Has glanced at the second of AdeQ’s articles on natural history in Revue de deux mondes; ordered first article but second is already out of print.

Comments on QdeB’s volume [Charles Darwin et ses précurseurs Français (1870)]. Mentions error concerning his views on Parus and nuthatch.

Discusses Canis magellanicus.

Discusses reception of his views in France and Germany.

Sends list of his publications.

Is grateful for interest QdeB has taken in his election [to Académie Française].

Thanks Quatrefages for his work on species. Explains that he received the Wollaston Medal for his three geological works.

Thanks QdeB for his continued support of CD’s election to French Academy.

Discusses views of Milne-Edwards on species.

Comments on views of Élie de Beaumont.

"I fear my next book [Descent] … will greatly displease you."

Obliged for QdeB’s efforts [to have CD elected member of Académie Française].

With regard to stress that QdeB lays on man’s walking on two legs, no one attributes much significance to difference in mode of locomotion between seals and terrestrial Carnivora or kangaroos and other marsupials.

Thanks correspondent for his kind and generous exertions [to get CD elected to French Academy?].