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".

Offers JH the first exemplar of AQ's work [Physique sociale]. Realizes no one will ever appreciate years of work that it has taken.

Thanks JH for accepting dedication. This has brought AQ utmost pleasure. Has dedicated few works. Expresses his esteem for JH's character and talent.

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.

[J. B.] Smith plans second reading [of metric bill] on 18 [Apr.] before Parliament adjourns. AH will approve it again. Philip Harwood, editor of Saturday Review, asks for article by JH on [metric system] before House votes on it.

Philip Harwood, editor of Saturday Review, wants to use JH's letter as part of article on metric system on 13 May [1871] in anticipation of 16 May debate in House [of Commons]. Second reading of bill was postponed until 6 June.

Encloses photographs taken of the last eclipse. Draws his attention to certain aspects of the eclipse.

Explaining why the moon's disc is circular.

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.

No summary available.