Encloses two questions he hopes MF can answer: the mechanism of transmission by nerves; and the mechanism by which contemplating part of our body, we become conscious of its existence

Comments on notes by JC-B on relation between blushing and mental disturbance. Asks for further information about blushing. "The single pencil line down this MS is my mark that I have used it once."

Thanks for "dreadful photo of the imbeciles".

Obliged for letter about dog.

Comments on HH’s article ["Zur Geschlechtsbestimmung", Bot. Ztg. 29 (1871): 81–9, 97–109].

"If you feel astonished at my bringing man & brutes so near together in their whole nature (though with a wide hiatus) I feel still more astonished, as I believe, at your judgment on this head. I much wish you had enlarged your concluding sentence a little so as to say whether you consider the ordinary mental faculties so distinct, or whether you confine the enormous difference to spiritual powers including the moral sense.––"

Please thank Mr Jackson for facts about shrugging, but case not distinct enough. Gestures associated with laughter. Platysma.

Case of the reasoning bear is analogous to the elephant blowing with trunk to bring object within reach.

Is sending copy of Descent.

Thanks for copy of WP’s book [Die Blutkrystalle (1871)].

Discusses shape of external ear.

Sends photographs he intends to use in Expression and asks for estimates of cost per thousand of each process [Woodburytype and Heliotype] suggested by RC and for different numbers of photos on each plate.

Obliged for letter about human ear. Comments on ears and on E. R. Lankester’s idea about the ear-lobe.

George [Darwin] plans a trip to America and would like FD to go [see 7757]. CD will gladly pay whole cost if the trip will not interfere with FD’s medical work.

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

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 AN for facts and corrections [for Descent].

The case of the gull must come out [Descent 2: 108 n. 9]. "Oh Lord, how difficult accuracy is!"

Discusses homologies in various animal groups.

Comments on Mivart [Genesis of species].

Comments on CVR’s book [Third annual report on the noxious, beneficial, and other insects of the State of Missouri (1871)].

Discusses mimetic insects.

Thanks for FD’s help. CD cannot conceive what Mivart means by "the identity between eyes of Cephalopods and Vertebrata".

Has invited Michael Foster to Down.

Discusses animal drawing showing expression.

Thanks for the photographs.

Delighted to hear from Lyell of JDH’s return from successful ascent of the Atlas Mts.

Fears JDH found no Madeira or Canary types, but CD is pleased at his moraine discovery.

Thinks Lyell’s health is serious.

Lady Lyell’s anxiety over Lyell’s health.

Preparing new edition of Origin.

Asks whether anything was observed [in Morocco] on expressions.

Did JDH notice whether pollen-masses in Ophrys apifera in N. Africa fall on the stigma, as in England?