Is studying Variation, especially Pangenesis. Reports earlier notion of Dr Robert Lee, that resemblance between husband and wife may be partly owing to her having man’s blood circulating in her during pregnancies; thus spouses most resemble each other in large families.

Asks whether he may see CD before leaving England.

Is currently at work on the development in birds of organs of flight according to CD’s principles; asks permission to quote CD in stating the theory.

Urges CD to republish his works in a collected edition, to make them more readily available to Germans.

CD was good enough to send notice of his new book [Descent] for the first number of the Academy; asks for further contributions and suggestions.

Asks CD to review Wallace’s recent book of essays [Natural selection (1870)], particularly the new essay, which questions the applicability of natural selection to man.

Encloses a copy of a letter he has written to a French geologist. In it he raises objections to evolutionary theory:

why are corals inadequately represented in the fossil record?

How can one explain the widespread appearance and then disappearance of groups like the trilobites?

If Mollusca and Articulata have a common ancestor, why are not ancient forms more akin than present ones?

Returns CD’s MS [of entomological section of Descent] marked with suggested alterations.

Suggests qualifications about rudimentary horn in female Onitis furcifer [See Descent 1: 372].

Sends additional data on colour differences in sexes of longicorn Coleoptera [See Descent 1: 367–8].

Suggests a modification of CD’s view of female coloration that would bring him "nearly into harmony" with Wallace.

Concern over Wallace’s book [Contributions to the theory of natural selection (1870)] and its apparent backsliding from Darwinian theory. HWB suggests that only CD is capable of criticising the book.

HWB hopes not too much was made over his few comments on man in M. F. Somerville’s book [Physical geography, revised ed. (1870)].

CD has complained of pins and needles keeping him from working on his book [Descent]. If he could spend ten days with HBJ, he would be well and fit.

CD has been nominated as a Membre Associé of the Belgian Royal Academy.

Discusses crustacean embryology; EvB is at variance with Dohrn.

Compliments Origin.

Sends extract about a waterplant to illustrate CD’s points about the means of dispersal in geographical distribution.

Sends information on the distribution of various species in the U. S.

Is glad CD liked Chamois hunting [in Bavaria (1853, 1860)].

Regrets CD’s poor health.

Sends his book, Transylvania [1865].

Sends a translation of two sentences [on floral structure] as requested by Henrietta Darwin.

Thanks CD for compliments on the first part of his "discours",

but the later part was critical of natural selection. Nevertheless, CD should see him not as a systematic adversary, but in the camp of Quatrefages de Bréau and Milne-Edwards.

Hears CD may come to Oxford at Commencement to receive an honorary degree. Invites CD, his wife, and daughter to stay at his house. [CD declined Hon. D.C.L. on grounds of ill health.]

Encloses a few answers to CD’s queries on expression. Continues to observe the expressions and habits of the Malays, Dyaks, and Saribus tribes [See Expression, pp. 21, 209].

Supplies names of moths and references.

Describes his breeding experiments with butterflies to test effects of reduced light.

Italian translation [of Variation] is delayed, but printing should begin soon.

Will send CD one of his writings in which he defends the natural descent of man [Origin dell’uomo, 2d ed. (1870)].

CD’s theory is making great progress in Italy and daily gains supporters.

Would like to visit CD at Down.

[Fourth] German edition of Origin will be out in a few weeks.