Interested in W. Hepworth Dixon’s Free Russia, but does not know "whether he is to be trusted".

VOK’s hard work in palaeontology will prepare him for future original investigations.

Gives cost of printing photographs [for Expression] by the Woodbury process.

Thanks for present of FWF’s The witness of history [1871].

No summary available.

Thanks for references about dogs. Fears work will not allow him to deal with subject again. Heartily subscribes to what correspondent says about qualities of dogs. Loves his "with all my heart".

Criticises a book [W. M. Williams, The fuel of the sun (1870)] whose author does not understand thermodynamics, spectrum analysis, and W. Thomson’s papers.

CD will pay for the American trip if it takes place.

Asks whether FD can help him understand the eyes of cephalopods; is the structure the same as in the Vertebrata and are the parts developed from homologous layers of skin?

Has been pleased by a recent review.

Postscript: Is thinking of a cheap edition of the Origin [1872] in which he hopes to answer St George Mivart’s criticisms.

Asks FD whether he can get some references to good papers on cephalapod eyes.

Thanks for a copy of Alexander Buchan’s Introductory text-book of meteorology (Buchan 1871).

Thanks for the cheque, and also for the offer to pay for him to go on a trip to north America with G. H. Darwin.

Explains about the attendance at St George’s hospital that is required for the MB examaminations, and how this would affect plans for a trip to north America.

Will translate passages as CD requests [see 7735].

Bitter at Prussian militarism.

Cannot explain why moths fly into candle flames and birds against lighthouses. Has felt it was just curiosity which attracted them.

CD does believe dogs have some sense of humour.

Comments on and corrections for chapter 13, "Mammals", of Descent.

Several observations on protective coloration and sexual selection.

Has finished Descent, which charmed but did not convert him.

Sends examples of dogs’ reasoning.

Has given up his farm.

Sends two bills [JM’s notes for payments due to CD] for £420 each for 3d issue of Descent.

CD is surprised and gratified by the interest in his views in America.

Has read the extract from the Liberal Christian sent by FEA and also Truths for the times, which he admires.

Asks JM for final decision about a cheap edition of Origin. Would like to begin soon to revise and answer recent objections.

Sends corrections for Descent.

More discussion of the illustrations for Expression.

A Swedish naturalist [G. Lindström] has asked to translate the Journal of researches.