CD sends thanks for information; will write about the fins.

His health is weak and he is "almost smothered" with facts and inquiries, so is trying to restrict the scope of his present work, on variation under domestication.

Asks JJB for date of his article in the Field dealing with the regeneration of fishes’ fins; additional questions about the fish.

Thanks CL for "the great book" [Antiquity of man (1863)].

Richard Owen "ought to be ostracised by every Naturalist in England".

CL’s book will "give the whole subject of change of species an enormous advance".

Criticises Dana’s classification of man and his use of fore-limbs as a basis for systematic classification.

Asks her to translate passage of letter about treatment.