FG’s volume on his African expedition [Narrative of an explorer in tropical South Africa (1853)] stimulates CD to express his admiration and to hope their acquaintance can be renewed.

Describes his health and life at Down.

Discusses how Fuegians and other primitive peoples light fires.

Thanks FG for book [The art of travel (1855)].

Is looking for a house in London for a month.

Can FG use his influence with Rev. [Erhardt] to get information about domesticated poultry in Africa for CD?

Encloses signed document.

"Much interested about all domestic animals of all savage nations."

Thanks FG for comments [on Origin].

Acknowledges error involving rhinoceros.

Thinks female fowls select victorious or most beautiful cock.

Does FG know Mansfield Parkyns well enough to submit query to him? [Probably about domestication of Columba guinea in Abyssinia. See Variation 1: 183.]

FG’s congratulations [on publication of Variation] have given CD pleasure.

Trusts that FG is well again.

Praises FG’s book [Hereditary genius (1869)]. CD is converted by its argument. Previously CD believed men did not differ much in intellect, but only in zeal and hard work.

Reports safe arrival of rabbits.

His rabbits have lost their patches and are grey.

Has FG seen William Crookes [spiritualist]?

Agrees to care for FG’s rabbits and will breed from them.

Plans to go to Southampton for ten days.

George Snow, the carrier, now leaves Nag’s Head on Thursday mornings.

Rabbits’ coats true in character. If the next ones are true, it is superfluous to keep trying.

Does not know why crying children rub eyes with knuckles.

Mentions FG’s article on prayer ["Statistical inquiries into the efficacy of prayer", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 12 (1872): 125–35].

F. M. Balfour wants to experiment on Pangenesis. Asks FG to recommend coloured rabbits that breed true.

Comments on FG’s article ["Hereditary improvement", Fraser’s Mag. 87 (1873): 116–30]. Finds it "the sole feasible, yet I fear utopian, plan of procedure in improving the human race".

Thanks for rabbits for Balfour.

Mentions reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas [of life (1872)].

Comments about questionnaire CD completed for FG [for Galton’s English men of science (1874)].

Describes his early interest in collecting and his education.

Asks about determining the mean heights of two groups of men.

Agrees to write to William Ogle [about twins with crooked fingers].

Describes growth of sweetpeas for experiment.

Thanks FG for issues of Revue [Scientifique vol. 7, containing lectures by Claude Bernard].

Ogle says twins [with crooked fingers] are his sisters.

Recommends book by M. A. Puvis [De la dégénération des variétés de végétaux (1837)].

Has heard that FG will write on inheritance. Huxley does not believe in E. G. Balbiani’s views on subject.