Cannot accept honour of nomination as Lord Rector [of Aberdeen University].

Sends thanks for Expression; offers some additions, and will send printed queries abroad if CD wishes.

Thanks LHJ for a memoir [about remains and antiquities of Olmütz in Moravia].

Has sent off a few trifling errata [of Expression] to Mr Clowes. Asks about the heliotypes.

Would like to hear about the sale of his books. [See 8616.]

Orders enema.

Accounts of dogs that howl to music; their expression whilst so doing.

Rabbits’ coats true in character. If the next ones are true, it is superfluous to keep trying.

Does not know why crying children rub eyes with knuckles.

Mentions FG’s article on prayer ["Statistical inquiries into the efficacy of prayer", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 12 (1872): 125–35].

Thanks for CD’s photograph, which recalls the Charles Darwin of olden days.

Has been asked to take shares in the Artizans’ Dwellings Co., in which CD is a shareholder. If it is really a project for public good, he would be glad to be associated.

Owen has answered his letter in Nature [7 (1872): 5–7].

A letter from Tyndall [from America] was read at the X Club.

Writes, as a P.S. to his previous letter, stating his friends have advised him not to answer Owen’s attack.

Thanks for copy [of Expression].

Has now read Charles Bell’s book [Anatomy and philosophy of expression, 3d ed. (1844)].

Reports instance of person, blind from birth, frowning, when supposedly the blind cannot control the muscle required.

Pros and cons of answering Owen’s letter.

On Artizans’ Dwellings, he approves the object but it is lost money as an investment.

The reception of Expression has exceeded even JM’s expectations; 5267 copies were sold at the annual sale. CD’s modesty about the work had misled him about its probable sale.

Thanks for 3rd edition of ACR’s Physical geology and geography of Great Britain (A. C. Ramsay 1872).

No summary available.

Would greatly prefer an enema with a shorter nozzle but with a somewhat larger diameter.

Glad the house and cottage are completed. Hopes there is a good-sized garden with the cottage.

Please remember himself and CD to FH’s father, John Higgins.

Going on circumnavigation voyage aboard the Garibaldi.

No summary available.

Reports on very successful sale of Expression in England. Suggests German publisher keep the type set up in case more than the expected 3000 copies are needed.

Has begun work on some old botanical observations [of Drosera for Insectivorous plants].