Darwin comments that Hooker's letter to ARW is perfect and that he has forwarded it to ARW along with one from himself. Darwin states he had resigned himself to giving up priority regarding evolution by natural selection to ARW but for influence from Lyell and Hooker.

JDH’s letter to Wallace perfect. CD’s feelings about priority. Without Lyell’s and JDH’s intervention CD would have given up all claims to Wallace. Now planning 30-page abstract for a journal.

Observations on floral structure

and slave-making ants.

Sends proofs [of "On the tendency of species to form varieties … ", read 1 July 1858, Collected papers 2: 3–19]. CD could publish his abstract [later the Origin] as a separate supplemental number of [Journal of the Linnean Society].

JDH has studied in detail CD’s manuscript on variable species in large and small genera and concurs with its consequences. Discusses methodological idiosyncrasies of systematists, e.g., Bentham, Robert Brown, and C. C. Babington, which complicate CD’s tabulations.

Regards from Isle of Wight.

Darwin requests a clean proof (of his abstract?) for ARW.

Correcting proof for CD–Wallace paper. Has begun abstract.

Large and small genera.

Six children have died of scarlet fever in Down village.

Writing abstract is amusing and improving work. Thanks JDH and Lyell for setting him to it.

No summary available.

The CD–Wallace paper has gone to press.

JDH’s tabulation of variable species from Bentham was done in haste.

References Darwin's after notes about Darwin/Wallace publication on evolution by natural selection.

Darwin requests a clean proof of Darwin and Wallace 1858 to send to ARW.

Working on abstract, which now is to consist of a number of sections each to be read at Linnean Society and to be published as a unit. Has finished section on variation under domestication.

Thanks JDH for stylistic corrections on MS of large and small genera.

Observations, while walking along headlands, on thistle-down blown out to sea and then blown inland.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Answers CD’s query about distribution of European perennials in the highlands of Java.

Asks whether there are dogs in Spain like English pointers.

Abstract growing to inordinate length.

Writing in support of S. Passell as assistant at Linnean Society.

Thanks JDH and Lyell for the actions they have taken with respect to ARW’s and CD’s papers. Considers himself fortunate to have been given any merit for his work. Is pleased that his correspondence has led to the earlier publication of CD’s work. It would have caused him "much pain & regret" if CD had made ARW’s paper public unaccompanied by his own views.

No summary available.