Thanks WHF for photographs [of niata ox skull]. Will tell Quatrefages de Bréau about the cast. May have the photographs copied for woodcuts to illustrate his book on variation under domestication.

Cites instance in which different varieties of same species of plant flourished side by side under same conditions.

Is applying for a post at Queen's College, Belfast and would be glad if JH would send a testimonial. Is sending some of his papers. Has been carrying out research on atmospheric electricity.

Believes GM’s human bones from Gibraltar must be of very doubtful age. Lyell agrees, but feels any skull found should be forwarded to George Busk or Hugh Falconer.

Suggests GM look carefully for shells in the drift.

Has just returned from collecting in Central America and is planning to go to the Galapagos to gather specimens in all branches of natural history.

Thanks for maps.

George [Darwin] failed at St John’s [College, Cambridge] and will stay another year at school.

The [genealogical] table seems excellent. Would be obliged for any further information about the children of the cousins – the case surprises CD.

Thanks CD for letter [3935].

Encloses report [missing] of his latest expedition [to west coast], which had a grand result.

Lyell is "half-hearted but whole-headed" for CD’s theory. George Bentham wholly converted.

Bates’s book delightful but has a Darwinistic bias.

Cameroon plants.

JDH defends Bates against J. E. Gray’s slanders.

Asks to borrow J. J. Audubon [Ornithological biography (1831–9)].

Going abroad; will miss the English orchid season.

Has searched in vain for the Ophrys apifera CD asked for.

Thanks CD for paper on Linum [Collected papers 2: 93–105].

Calls CD’s attention to his observations on Rubiaceae.

Does JH need the original calculation sheets to deal with the errors in the nebula catalogue [see GA's 1863-2-23]?

Thanks for drawing and note about peach–nectarine.

Is sending photographs of the niata skull [requested in 4082]. W. H. Flower reports that he could have a cast made for £3.3s.0d.

CD named corresponding member of the Society.

Annual visitation of Royal Observatory by Board of Visitors will be held 6 June.

Sending through H. M. Parker proof of the engraving of the Nebula of Orion. Comments on this.

The Lyell–Falconer squabble.

Discusses island vs continental floras and their degree of modification.

Critical of Wallace.

CD’s observations on phyllotaxy.

Explains how to detect errors in catalogued positions of stars. List of new nebulae in [G. F. J. A.] Auwers's catalogue.