Two queries on teeth: 1. Is there evidence of inherited peculiarities in milk teeth?

2. Are male incisors longer than female?

Hopes JM’s friend will give his judgment [on Variation] soon; and urges JM to come to a decision about publishing. CD believes it will have "a fair sale".

On final instalment of "Insular floras" [Gard. Chron. (1867): 75]; rejoices at extent of their agreement.

Some criticisms of JDH’s position on geographical affinities, and volcanic islands.

CD agrees to JM’s proposal of half-profits. Thinks it a mistake to print only 750 copies. The agreement on half-profit is for first edition only. CD estimates his book at a higher value than JM does.

Is convinced his chapter on man [for Variation] will excite plenty of attention and abuse, which he supposes is as good as praise for selling a book.

Thanks for information about rudimentary organs. Asks about rudimentary character of human hair and panniculus carnosus.

Has just sent MS of Variation off to printer. Is in darkness about its merits.

News of family and their health. Riding seems to help him.

CD’s Variation is in printer’s hands.

Orchid self-sterility.

On the Duke of Argyll and a review of his Reign of law.

Asa Gray’s theological view of variation. God’s role in formation of organisms; JDH’s view of Providence.

Insular and continental genera.

Owen on continuity and ideal types

and on bones of Mauritius deer.

On man.

Thanks WT for information.

Will not include chapter on man in Variation but plans separate essay in future.

Asks for specimen [of Eozoon] for J. V. Carus of Leipzig.

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.

Asks to meet EB for a walk in the Zoological Gardens.

Is so unwell he must cancel appointment to meet at Zoological Gardens.

Asks for information concerning study at King’s College.

Sends J. P. M. Weale’s paper on Bonatea for consideration by Linnean Society [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 10 (1869): 470–6].

Observations on orchid self-sterility.

Wants information on characters that may have originated through sexual selection in lower animals.

Encloses queries on expression.

Discusses JPMW’s paper on Bonatea [see 5411].

Mentions Robert Brown’s views on pollen.

Many of EB’s remarks about Origin [4th ed. (1866)] are new to CD.

Thinks of writing a short essay on man.

Struck by EB’s remarks about orang. They are similar to Carl Vogt’s remarks on origin of man from distinct ape families.

Thinks similarity of orang to Malay must be accidental.

Will send Variation when it is published.

Asking ARW's opinion, at H. W. Bates' suggestion, on the reason for the bright colouration of some caterpillars; says his health has been bad.