Response to letter about dedication of Malay Archipelago and several scientific papers.

Changes in 5th ed. of Origin.

Now feels individual differences of paramount importance. Fleeming Jenkin has convinced him about "single variations".

Is trying to determine conditions governing whether or not a salmon will rise for a fly.

Is assembling apparatus of lenses and reflector to observe flower from opening to first shedding of pollen, and to determine whether fertilisation is by night- or day-feeders.

Will also examine reasons for absence of nectar in Polygala linaria.

Thanks JO for intending to dedicate his The Andes and the Amazon to him.

The discovery of marine shells high up the Amazons CD finds extremely interesting.

Note with return of proof of JH's biographical sketch [see WH's 1869-1-22] of William Dawes.

Sends a paper on reproductive modes of Leptodera ["Organisation und Fortpflanzen von Leptodera", Schr. Ges. Beförd. Naturw. Marburg (1869)].

Criticises Ernst Haeckel’s work as too unripe and enthusiastic.

Asks CD for some specimens of cirripedes in pupal stage for a work in progress.

Has heard that book by Alphonse M[ilne]-Edwards [? Recherches anatomiques et paléontologiques, 4 vols. (1867–71)] is excellent.

Asks when horns appear on young male fallow deer.

Answer to CD’s query as to whether horns on deer are for use or ornament. [See Descent 2: 252–3.]

Thanks for his report on dredging operations. Comments on the findings.

Does not fact that characters important in systematics are often of no use, corroborate CD’s view that such characters, if not detrimental, may persist ad infinitum?

Social news.

Professor Joseph Winlock of Harvard agrees with all WH's observations of Nebula of Orion. The observations at Bishop's Observatory between 1844 and 1851 appear to be the work of W. R. Dawes. Comments on the reasons why the bright lines are so easily seen.

On development of horns in fawns of fallow deer.

Lists dates in 1851 on which steps were taken in appointment of Charles Sterry as HF's assistant assayer. HF is still under accusation.

No summary available.

Offers to send on to JH any notices of double star observations that he receives.

Believes Portuguese habit of removing tails of pointers is responsible for birth of some tailless dogs.

Thanks for his kind letter. Is surprised that the formation of flint attracted him. Comments on this and similar matters.

No summary available.

Mary Somerville is sending her autobiography and desires comments and suggestions. She is busy with mathematics.

Thanks JP for his book Vesuvius [1869].