CD is obliged for the securing of [Ferguson’s illustrated book of domestic poultry]. Since he has already been given a copy, may he return this one?

Writes, for CD, to thank him for his letter and offer to send Unsere Zeit, but will not trouble him to send it.

Sends photograph of CD.

Comments on the facsimile of his handwriting made by HK, and points out two errors in the letter press.

Encloses three letters written by Erasmus Darwin, and asks HK to return them to Eliza Meteyard.

Expresses gratification that JVC is to undertake new translation and revision of German edition of the Origin.

Has heard many complaints about Bronn’s translation. JVC would be justified in omitting Bronn’s appendix.

Suggests additions and changes, including reference to C. W. v. Nägeli’s Entstehung und Begriff [1865], though he disagrees with it.

Answers some question about species.

Sends biographical sketch.

Now considers that a note on Nägeli would have to be too long to include. Discusses his differences with Nägeli. Cannot believe in spontaneous generation. At present the principle of life seems to him beyond the confines of science.

Requests a change in text [of ch. 12 of Origin: "Geographical distribution"] owing to recent observations of Albert Günther on the marine faunas of the eastern and western shores of South and Central America.

Answers JVC’s questions about the rock-thrush, the tortoise-shell cat, and the logger-headed duck.

CD thinks JVC’s preface is fair to Bronn. Regrets JVC has not added notes of his own, but, having dropped Bronn’s appendix, it is perhaps best to leave the text without comment. Rejoices that the German public can now judge the Origin fairly.

Has written to W. B. Carpenter for a specimen of Eozoon to send to JVC.

Thanks PR for his memoir on Epipogium ["Über den Blüthenbau von Epipogium" (1866)]. The structure and manner of fertilisation are new to CD;

he has long suspected that the classification of orchids requires considerable modification.

CD is delighted that JVC will undertake translation of Variation.

Agrees with JVC’s opinion of Haeckel’s book [Generelle Morphologie (1866)]. CD believes it is bad policy for Haeckel to speak so positively about a disputed theory [i.e., CD’s] and particularly regrets the severity of EH’s criticisms of other authors.

Reassures JVC [who had received the impression that CD would prefer Carl Vogt as translator of Variation].

CD surprised at receipt of an application for a Russian translation.

Thanks JVC for his biography [of CD].

Has almost finished first proofs of Variation.

Has difficulty in answering JVC’s queries about dogs because of differences in German names and breeds. Refers him to A. E. Brehm’s Illustrirtes Thierleben [1868] and, on pigeons, to Gottlob Neumeister’s book [Das Ganze der Taubenzucht (1837)].

Hopes JVC is not discouraged by first volume. Thinks second will be more interesting.

CD provides explanations and advice on translating names and descriptions of breeds of fowls.

Sends a corrected revise to replace a sheet which has been lost in the mail.

Concerning German translation of Variation. Fears chapter 27 Pangenesis is very wild, but believes physiologists will some day be compelled to admit some such doctrine.

Sends corrected title of Variation and report of progress in printing.

Sends revision of vol. 1 [of Variation]. Advance sale at auction sold 1200 copies, to CD’s great surprise. Publication delayed by index.

Sends errata for German edition of Variation.

Questions arising in German translation of Variation; its sales prospects. CD from the first has said it was very doubtful that the book was worth translating.

Sends sheets of second issue [of Variation] with errata and changes to be made.

Refers to a favourable review,

and a contemptuous one in Athenæum written, he thinks, by Richard Owen [see 5931].