CD has saved an enormous amount of labour since he replaced the chain on his deep well with wire rope. He now asks readers whether they have had experience of saving on the weight of the bucket by using some material other than oak.

Arrangements for delivery of pigeons and poultry to Down.

Important issue at stake with new flora calculations: evidence that species are only strongly marked varieties. Planning large-scale survey.

Thanks for rabbit.

Are there dun-coloured ponies in Shetlands? Are they striped?

Delighted that JSH is coming to Down. Sends correct train time.

Asks JL not to call as he has a "very old friend" [J. S. Henslow] coming to visit him.

Yesterday visited poultry show at Crystal Palace.

Invites JL to dine and meet J. S. Henslow.

Tabulation of varieties goes on; very important as it shows the branching of forms. Mentions his principle of divergence.

Encloses an abstract of his ideas on natural selection and the principle of divergence; the "means by which nature makes her species".

Discusses varieties and close species in large and small genera, finding some data from AG in conflict with his expectations.

Has been observing the action of bees in fertilising kidney beans and Lobelia.

Some negative results in variety tabulation survey.

Galls on wild carrot.

CD acknowledges honour of his election to the Academy.

Writes of the extension to Down House.

Representative species may complicate tabulation of varieties.

Questions for Mr Anderson about horse colouring in Norway.

Has been writing an "audacious little discussion" to show that "organic beings are not perfect, only perfect enough to struggle with their competitors".

Thanks for three last lectures and the account of cirripedes.

Difficulty of classifying the higher groups.

The returned gloves are similar to some he has already, and he would prefer a pair with stiffer bristles.

Thanks JSH for his magnificent present. Hopes Hooker will bring the specimens.

Have water-fowl ever been seen at Ipswich on Mr Ransome’s great tank?

Agassiz’s superficiality and wretched reasoning powers. But he stirred up Europe on glaciers. Lyell has been working on their effects – testing work of others.

CD believes "Natural Systems" ought to be simply genealogical. "Time will come when we shall have true genealogical trees of each great kingdom of nature."

Will collect no more pigeons. Is awaiting Burmese fowls’ skins coming via Berlin.

C. F. Ledebour [Flora rossica (1842–53)] particularly useful for variety tabulation. Results generally favourable.

Additions to Down House.

Last two chapters of MS took six months to write.

Thinks naturalists look for something further than Cuvier’s view of classification. Poses a theoretical problem on the classification of the races of man to prove that a genealogical system is best.