Inherited dental abnormalities in man. [Enclosed are proofs of pp. 113–16 from J. Tomes, A system of dental surgery, 2d ed. (1873).]

Offers information on pea-fowl for new edition of Variation.

Sends his observations on the fertilisation of Hedychium gardnerianum by sphinx moths. Did not look for pollen on the wing tips.

Returns proofs; has no criticisms or remarks worth sending.

On the "doubtful & obscure" subject of marriage of cousins, CD believes, that judging from the analogy of animals, no direct evil would follow from their marriage. He would, however, expect the offspring of unrelated parents to be somewhat superior in size and vigour. The injury from the increase of any bad tendency common to the family seems to CD more to be feared than mere consanguinity; "the good effects of crossing distinct families I look at as great & undoubted".

Thanks for facts on inheritance

Thinks CST’s paper (C. S. Tomes 1874) about the enamel on the teeth of the armadillo is most remarkable.

Asks HBT to sign certificate [for Royal Society] for Robert Swinhoe.

Criticises sexual selection theory. Supports natural selection.

Gives CD references on proportion of sexes in spiders.

At the suggestion of Crichton-Browne CD writes on behalf of his son George, who is making a study of marriages between first cousins and of their offspring to determine the proportion of the latter who may be among the insane, deaf and dumb, idiotic, blind etc. Is GES willing to ask his patients [at the Royal Albert Asylum] for the information relevant to this study?

Gives the answers of two of the best dog breeders to CD’s queries.

Does not believe in the possibilty of dog suicide.

Reports on a female black-winged pea-fowl at his home in Ireland.

Thanks for HHHvZ’s translation of Expression. CD will have HHHvZ’s notes translated by one of his sons.

Thanks for answering his query on greyhound puppies.

Thanks for copies of HdV’s two articles on climbing plants (Vries 1873a and 1873b).

Discusses meaning of term "sexual selection".

Comments on variability in males.

Thanks for his election as Foreign Honorary Member.

Thanks for LR’s essay on living and fossil turtles [Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchâtel 9 (1873): 439–41].

General observations on the native Hawaiian population.

Answers to queries are being sent.

Enclosure 1: statistics on puppies bred by Rayner in 1873.

Enclosure 2 from W. N. Massey: number of males or females raised depends entirely on preference of greyhound breeders.

Enclosure 3 from E. L. Williams: breeders prefer to destroy bitch pups.

Enclosure 4: Thomas Morse answers CD’s three queries, transmitted by GC: (1) in deerhounds, females predominate, three to one; (2) in all but cattle, females are less worth preserving; (3) TM rears all the young.

Enclosure 5: John Wright responds to CD’s queries about proportion of sexes in births of horses, cattle, and dogs.

Enclosure 6: G. W. Hickman cannot give reliable answers to CD’s queries on proportion of sexes born [in greyhounds?].