CD’s health remains bad and as he grows older he becomes weaker.

Thanks for invitation [to stay with GR at Oxford], but his poor state of health requires him to stay in private lodgings.

CD’s plans are uncertain because of his daughter’s [Henrietta Darwin] fever.

If GR would kindly reserve rooms for CD near college, CD will write before the meeting [of British Association at Oxford] if he is prevented from coming.

Agrees with GR’s remarks on Asa Gray’s pamphlet.

New edition of Origin to appear immediately.

Fact of clubbed fingernails in cyanosis quite new to CD. Asks for information.

Thanks for explanation of cyanosis and clubbed nails.

Hopes GR will work out point about mucus tubes.

Thanks correspondent for a remarkable instance of inheritance [not specified].

Thanks for orchids and other flowers.

Will send photograph.

Declines, regretfully, to contribute to or to have his name appear on a new magazine.

Thanks for answers to CD’s questions; would appreciate any new information on similarity of moths of distinct races.

CD has been "atrociously abused by religious countrymen, but it does not hurt except when it comes from an old friend like Prof. Owen".

Wishes French translator of Origin had known more natural history.

CD needs first volume of the second series [of Trans. R. Hortic. Soc. Lond.].

Recommends paper by John Scott to be read at Linnean Society.

Asks TCE to verify whether otter-hounds have more skin between their toes than other hounds. Also interested in cases of infertile matings between normally fertile individuals.

Had hoped to call, but cannot do so comfortably, so will HBJ call on CD instead, for a consultation?

Asks ADB to perform experiment on colour perception in bower-bird.

Asks for rabbit specimens.

Defers visit [to Kew] because of ill health.