Reports on rats that gnawed holes in lead pipes.

Claims to have proved the great antiquity of several plant races. But this does not contradict the tendency to vary. Insists that heredity can make permanent varieties of sufficient duration to occur as fossils.

PAH’s friend, a florist, is repeating CD’s experiments with Dionaea muscipula.

CD’s works stir interest in America.

Bombus mastrucatus, an alpine bee, conforms to his observations that B. terrestris breaks open the flowers of Trifolium pratense. However, in the Alps, B. terrestris does not behave this way.

Gentiana species are adapted to lepidopteran cross-fertilisation.

Has received a baffling article on God, immortality, and socialism under a Darwinian point of view.

Clerk Maxwell has disagreed with CD on molecular calculations in relation to Pangenesis in Encyclopaedia Britannica article ["Atom", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th ed. (1875) 3: 36–49].

Sends £25 subscription, though he is not a churchman.

His research on Orchis maculata.

Discusses effect of disuse of anthers in Salvia officinalis.

Pleased CD can use his observations on Primula elatior.

Informs LD of the death of Francis Darwin’s wife, Amy.

Reports the death of Francis’ wife, Amy.

CD grieves over death of Frank’s wife Amy; worries that it will weaken Frank’s determination to pursue his scientific work.

JDH’s condolences at Amy Darwin’s death.

Describes behaviour of apes and monkeys in presenting coloured hindquarters.

Mentions observations on apes and other mammals. Describes habits of apes and monkeys in presenting hindquarters. Thinks species that present always have colourful hindquarters. Discusses possible exceptions to rule.

Forwards chapter [of Orchids (1877)] for correction.

Sadness at the death of Amy.

CD thanks JDH for his condolences. Amy’s baby will live with the Darwins.

Describes example of instinctive behaviour in new-born leveret.

Cites experiment in which rabbit breathed vapour of nitrite of amyl.

Suggests that change in terrestrial atmosphere is responsible for evolution from scales to fur or feathers.

Discusses page length [of Cross and self-fertilisation]. Doubts 1500 copies will be sold until lapse of some years.

Would like to see the pigeons, though he is not likely to work on the subject again. When he hears from Dr Scully, he will present them to the British Museum.

Has not had time to use the information about earthworms yet, but hopes to use it in about a year’s time.

Suggests German works worth translating.

Is glad FD is keeping busy; he has worked excellently on proof-sheets [of Orchids (1877)].

JDH again expresses his condolences.

The Glasgow BAAS meeting was good, except for Tait’s shameful attack on Tyndall.

Immensely impressed on Scottish geological and glacial features. Is CD aware that the earth beneath Glen Roy roads was found to contain freshwater diatoms?

Recounts the itinerary of his honeymoon in Scotland.