Eldest daughter [Henrietta] very ill.

CD enjoys Owen’s having had "a good setting down".

Thanks HF for offer of valuable specimen, but CD has no aquarium. Suggests the Zoological Society would be the best place for it.

Will keep HF’s note among a very few precious letters.

Will try to call tomorrow. What HF tells him about horses makes him eager to come.

Extreme interest in MS of HF’s paper on the American fossil elephant [Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 3 (1863): 43–114].

Pleased HF does not believe in immutable species. Significance of proboscidean group verging towards extinction. Comments on natural selection preserving type despite variability. Natural selection solves problem of how every part of each creature has become adapted.

Explains that he returned the MS - part of a paper on fossil and living species of elephant (Falconer 1863) - to Falconer’s house in Park Crescent the previous Thursday.

Comments on HF’s paper on Plagiaulax from the Purbeck beds. Paper "dreadfully severe" on Owen.

"I am worse than ever in bearing any excitement."

Glad HF attacked Australian Mastodon. Never did believe in him.

Mentions Primula paper [Collected papers 2: 45–63].

Has HF met with any cases of what gardeners call "sports" and what CD will call "bud-variations"?

His admiration for HF’s paper on American fossil elephant.

Notes "temporary irruption of S. American forms into N. America".

Rejoices that HF has "smashed" case of Mastodon on Timor.

Shares HF’s anger at Owen.

He is eager to hear about fossil bird [Archaeopteryx].

Comments on criticisms of species theory by [Johann Andreas?] Wagner.

Describes research on fertilisation of Melastomataceae.

If jaw belongs to Archaeopteryx, it will show great peculiarity. A German author has advanced the case as argument for Origin.

Good of HF to tell him about Brazilian beast. So intermediate a form is "very glorious". Must assume it is very old.

Thanks for information about Pliocene mammal. Interested in relating process of formation to duration of the species. Oswald Heer’s view that species suddenly formed surely false.

Bad summer with much sickness. Going to Malvern [for water-cure] for a month.

Muddled over phyllotaxy and made out nothing.

Sends address.

Comments on BAAS meeting at Newcastle.

Encloses list of CD’s publications.

[Copley] Medal very great honour. Cordial thanks.

Chuckled over [Gaspard-Auguste] Brullé and pupils.

Splendid converts in Rudolf Leuckart and Carl Gegenbaur.

Gratified to receive Copley Medal. Cannot attend anniversary [of Royal Society]. Would HF receive medal for him?

Much pleased by Edward Sabine’s address.

Grateful to HF for his interest [in the award of Copley Medal to CD].

No summary available.

"I return your letter to [William] Sharpey." Grandest eulogium CD has received.