Discusses at length CL’s criticisms of natural selection.

Comments on possible former connection between the Galapagos and South America.

Discounts survival of mammals on atolls.

Discusses reptile origin of mammals.

Discounts development of a mammal on an island and the descent of mammals from a bird.

The antiquity of islands.

Comments on bats of New Zealand. Geographical distribution of seals. Discusses Amblyrhynchus.

Glad CL will read his MS on origin of dogs [Variation 1: 15–43].

Thanks for letter regarding his prediction of the floods. May be partly to blame as he did mention certain happenings that could be the result of solar phenomenon. Comments on this. If WP communicates this to a paper would like two or three copies.

Regrets he has nothing that he could contribute to the Field and cannot spare the time to work out anything on bees’ cells.

Is he thinking of letting Francis Baily's house at Tavistock Place as he knows someone who is desirous of renting it. Was able to walk two miles at a quick pace yesterday. Rest of his family are at the seaside.

CD has a low opinion of British entomologists.

Lyell’s ingenious difficulties with natural selection show he is in earnest.

Asks JDH to observe beetles and variation of stripes in mules on his Syrian tour.

Selling house [in London]; comments on H. S. Boase's writing on annuities.

Was very pleased to receive another of JB's works. Glad to be associated in his revelations concerning molecular and polarization powers. Recall their past meetings and hopes to renew acquaintance in Paris at some future date.

Thanks for valuable and interesting letter; has sent copies to the Glossop Record and Manchester Examiner and will send copies of the papers should the letter be printed. Will be glad to know the results of his valuable observations.

Knew he would get a speedy answer. Quick, the Bristol bookseller, has sent him an edition of Francis Walkingame's Arithmetic. Thinks JH is right to sell Francis Baily's house. G. B. Libri may wish to buy. His puns are unavoidable. Hopes JH will have his house valued.

Discusses Spiranthes. Did AGM see dipterous insects insert proboscis?

Asks for information about Epipactis.

Describes fertilisation of Orchis pyramidalis.

Has received moth with pollen from O. pyramidalis.

Asks that Fraser’s Magazine for July or the review from it on Origin (Hopkins 1860) be sent to Asa Gray.

Thanks JDH for agreeing to observe coats of asses and mules in Middle East.

Asks for observations on vigour of plants as JDH ascends mountains.

Ad hominem article in Athenæum [review of John Tyndall, Glaciers of the Alps, 1 Sept 1860, pp. 280–2].

Reports extensive experiments on Drosera.

Observations on orchid anatomy.

Etty [Henrietta Darwin] much improved.

Reference to his "hobby of striped asses".

Sceptical of JBI’s "curious stories" on spirit-tapping: "believe nothing one hears & only half of what one sees".

No summary available.

Believes CD’s argument against special creation based on absence of terrestrial mammals on islands isolated before Pliocene era is very strong. However, the absence means Cetacea and bats have not modified towards terrestrial existence. There is similar lack of development of bats and rodents in Australia. Constancy among land shells of Madeira over long period shows that the majority of their species are immutable: a minority of "metamorphic" species maintains the overall number of true species while extinction removes many. Emphasis on the role of extinction discomfits CD’s opponents since the power of generation of new species ought to keep pace. Mentions Ammonite deposits with reference to CD’s comments on their apparent sudden extinction [Origin, pp. 321–2]. Perhaps absence of transmutation on slowly subsiding atolls indicates the slow rate of selective change.

JH's letter has appeared in the Glossop Herald and Manchester Examiner. Has ordered copies and will send some to JH. Has sent a copy to Sir Henry James.

Orders one copy of the issue of the Atlantic Monthly for last August (but not worth sending to America for) and two copies of the issue for next October.

Sent packet to JH last week containing publications listed in ES's bibliography of recent magnetic surveys.

Has received second part of AG’s Atlantic Monthly article ["Darwin on the origin of species", 6 (1860): 109–16, 229–39], and would like to have it reprinted in England with the first part.

Regrets no reviewer has touched upon embryology, which he feels provides one of his strongest arguments.

Sends Asa Gray’s review [of Origin]. Asks THH’s advice on getting it reprinted in England.

Hooker’s expedition to Syria.

Disgraceful review of Tyndall’s book in Athenæum.