Has read MS of AM’s review [of Origin, read at Edinburgh Royal Society, 20 Feb 1860]; has no complaints. Has never heard of a hostile reviewer’s doing so kind and generous an action [as sending his MS for CD’s criticism?]. Sends some remarks on details.

In his former note CD omitted to criticise AM’s explanation that the function of hybridisation is to prevent extinction should the males of a rare species die out.

Disputes that "Oken, Lamarck & Co throw some light on Classification, Embryology & Rudimentary organs". In the case of embryology there must be introduced the principle of variations not supervening at a very early age and being inherited at corresponding ages. In classification descent alone will not do; it must be combined with the principle of divergence of character and descent from dominant and increasing forms.

Responds to CD’s comments on his review of the Origin. Regrets lack of space often causes him to do injustice to CD and to himself. Agrees to alter some of his statements

and offers some evidence for his opinions on plant hybridising.

Sends references to papers mentioning cave insects. Paussi are not blind, as CD thinks, though some other insects that live in ants’ nests are. Each country over the world has its peculiar species of Paussi, though they all live in ants’ nests. "Physical condition I say – Natural Selection you say".

Thanks for AM’s kindness.

CD did not understand him about "prepotency".

With respect to cave animals CD believes that on reflection AM will admit "that on creation doctrine, there has been surprising diversity for such similar habitation".

Has heard from A. von Keyserling who "makes no difficulty about imperfection of Geological Record".

Sends pamphlet by Asa Gray [Natural selection not inconsistent with natural theology (1861)]. Hopes AM may get it noticed in any natural history periodical in Edinburgh.

Will send AM a corrected [3d] edition of Origin. AM will find little alteration in the parts he attacked, which, to the best of CD’s judgment, did not seem to require correction. Assures AM that he does not send his new edition out of bravado.

Thanks AM for his note. [Asa Gray’s] pamphlet was meant for AM if he thinks it worth accepting.

Will be pleased to review Asa Gray’s pamphlet [see 3068].

Is not surprised that blind cave insects are sometimes found in other dark places.

Did CD lend AM a pamphlet on cave insects by S. Scudder ["On the genus Raphidophora", Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 8 (1861–2): 6–14]? CD much wants it and remembers lending it to someone.

AM did not borrow a Samuel Scudder pamphlet from CD; in fact he was not aware of its existence.

A regular column is to appear in the Proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society on successful and failed interspecific crosses.

Proposes to work on geographical distribution before leaving the Society.

Wishes AM success in undertaking his work on geographical distribution [The geographical distribution of mammals (1866)]. CD has no suggestions to make as he has not recently attended to the subject.

He is still weak after his long illness and supposes he will ever remain so.

He is planning a new journal to replace Natural History Review. Unlike the old one, it would be confined to reviews and would include an index of works on travel.

AM discusses his new journal [J. Travel & Nat. Hist.] of which general opinion seems to be favourable. Has room for the occasional contributor, if CD knows of any.

Will return Federico Delpino’s two pamphlets soon.