Wishes to inform CD that, contrary to CD’s impression, natural selection is widely accepted in U. S. by educated men; encloses copies of his lectures, papers, and the Index.

Thanks CD for interest in FEA’s work and for money for Index. Sends 1870 volume of Index.

Praises CD’s services to free-thought.

Asks for CD’s view of the influence of his theory on religion, to use in lecture.

For CD’s approval, cites passage from CD note he wants to quote in a lecture;

pleads for CD’s moral support for FEA’s work in free-thought movement.

Sends $50 [dollars or pounds!?] because he wants CD to become regular contributor to Index.

A poem, "Burns to Darwin".

Instances of sexual differences in viviparous fishes, suggested by reading chapters on sexual selection [in Descent] and by Mivart’s Genesis of species.

Notes on echinoderms.

Comments on discussion of residual organs in Descent [ch. 1].

Describes his ability to contract the platysma myoides at will.

Suggests reason for loss of voluntary movement of ears in men and monkeys.

Reply to CD’s letter of 5 Apr 1871 [7659], in which he asked HA for further details on when and how platysma myoides contracts.

Replies to CD’s questions about sources on leaf arrangement.

Gives news of speech and paper about CD.

Thanks for letter and reference to Nägeli’s observations on leaf arrangement in the bud.

Replies to CD’s letter;

inquires about CD’s intended terms for Italian translator of Descent; hopes to offer best terms herself.

CD has omitted in all his works one of the most interesting causes of variation, domestic or wild – i.e., frightening of a pregnant animal; quotes case of eight-footed horse from a French translation of G. S. W. von Adler.

Reminds CD of earlier promise to permit extracts of Descent to be translated and published in EA’s Revue Scientifique once entire work is printed. Book appeared weeks ago, so EA again requests permission. Revue has been appearing irregularly owing to war with Germans.

Comments on continued appearance of Revue [des cours scientifiques] despite German siege. Plans enlarged format to include politics and political economy. Repeats request to publish first part of Descent, chapter by chapter, to be followed by publication of the whole.

Has reached an understanding with CD’s French translator [J. Moulinié] and publisher [C. Reinwald] for Descent. Has printed first chapter in last number of Revue Scientifique and sent CD copies; is sending proofs of translation of next chapter for CD to correct.

Learned of CD’s interest in new facts bearing on origins of specific forms and sends proof sheets of his Monograph on tubularian hydroids [1871–2] stating his views on the descent of existing hydroids from ancient graptolites.

Sends two books detailing a new medical method that will produce "a state of health & vigour on every occasion & in every instance" and is applicable to "the entire circle of animated nature" [William Hibbert, Important discovery. Hibbert’s new theory and practice of medicine (1870) and The new theory and practice of medicine (1870)]. The volumes apply to animals and man. Subsequent books will detail the method for insects and plants.

[Letter erroneously addressed to E. A. Darwin, and forwarded by EAD to CD.]

Anecdotes about a dog and cat evidencing "a high order of instinct".

Gives examples of animal species in which adult males castrate or kill younger males.

Was reminded of CD by his new book [Descent] in a shop;

reports having come on train as far as Bromley in previous summer, but found no means of travelling the seven miles to Down. Might try again.

Thanks for letter and invitation to come to Down.

Sorry about CD’s bad health; Brazilian climate has improved his own.

Sorry to hear Miss Butler is dead.

Rereading Journal of researches, particularly on Buenos Aires and varieties of cattle observed there [pp. 145–6]. Reports a case of a cow in which the characters of the niata and two other breeds were combined.