Discusses his concept of beauty. "I daresay I have made too much of natural selection".

Protests against FJW making the struggle for existence still more odious by calling it ‘selfish competition’.

Discusses loss of voluntary movement of ears in man and monkey.

Is honoured to hear from JLC and would welcome the communication of any facts that he cares to send him.

Thanks for information about blushing of idiots.

Case of pregnant woman "truly wonderful".

Thanks for photographs.

Has found London photographer, O. G. Rejlander, with passion for photographing expression.

Received information about iris of eye from F. C. Donders; shows contraction and dilation of pupil is very complex.

Asks TW to persuade painters to observe how far down body blush extends on models.

Asks correspondent to thank Thomas Laycock for his references. CD has been away from home and has not yet consulted his copy of Laycock’s Mind and brain [1860].

Formally declines dinner invitation.

Agrees to have his or Emma Darwin’s name added to the General Committee for securing medical education to women.

Asks JC-B to read CD’s MS on confusion of mind, which often or generally accompanies blushing.

Thanks for information on colour differences in sexes of Lemur.

Discusses blushing. CD believes confusion of mind alone can account for it. Sends MS for JC-B’s comments and corrections.

Sends contribution of £5 to Settle Cave Exploration Fund.

Has no idea who wrote the Times review [of Descent]. Writer has no knowledge of science and "seems a windbag full of metaphysics & classics".

Reports further observations on contraction of platysma. Has been assisted by J. Wood. [See Expression, pp. 302, 303.]

Cannot provide comment on GF’s paper for publication. Hopes GF will publish in Nature. Will consider his remarks when revising book [Descent].

Reports safe arrival of rabbits.

Comments on JM’s review of Descent, vol. 2 [Pall Mall Gaz. 13 (1871): 1358–9].

Mistake CD made "in speaking of greatest happiness as the foundation of morals" is unintelligible to CD. Discusses J. S. Mill’s view of moral feelings as natural. Discusses basis of conscience.

Glad to read remarks on hive-bees.

Thanks for the report of CLB’s lecture about Descent to the New York Liberal Club on 3 March 1871.

Sends four photographs of himself for the sculptor J. W. A. MacDonald.

Encloses two questions he hopes MF can answer: the mechanism of transmission by nerves; and the mechanism by which contemplating part of our body, we become conscious of its existence