Sends specimen of Californian fish that inhabits mountain lakes. The lakes often dry up and the fish have developed legs to enable them to wander in search of water.

University has at last provided room for a small zoological museum. The Philosophical Society might donate its collections to it, including CD’s fishes.

Pleased at receiving CD’s letter.

HWB informs him of favourable notice of the mimetic paper [in Wiegmann’s Arch. Naturgesch. 29 (1863) pt 2: 315–19].

He is pleased with his post [Asst. Sec. of Royal Geographical Society].

Expresses pleasure at signs of CD’s recovery.

HWB’s work on the identification of species of the genus Colobthea; relates the large number of modifications that occur in the sexual organs of closely allied species. Does not doubt that this contributes greatly to multiplication of species in nature.

He encloses a portrait and asks for one of CD.

He has sent mimetic paper to B. D. Walsh.

Mentions work at Royal Geographical Society on N. Pole business [plans for an Arctic expedition, eventually postponed until 1875–6].

CD’s statement in Origin that clover is utterly dependent on humble-bee for fertilisation has been questioned by his friend’s evidence of visits by other insects. Asks CD’s opinion.

Was glad to see CD at museum.

Asks CD to sign and return enclosed item.

CD did not cover oysters in his book; FB can point out curious facts about them.

Introduces Cholmondely Pennell of the Admiralty, who wants to speak to CD about a literary matter.

On a proposed meeting of friends of the deceased Hugh Falconer to decide on a memorial to him. Invites CD’s support.

Has heard from Hooker that CD is very ill and asking for suggestion of a doctor to consult. Recommends A. B. Garrod as specialist in gouty complaints.

Autobiographical letter describing how, when he could not conscientiously take orders, he went to New Zealand and has now returned to England to study art.

Fascinated and delighted by Origin

and is pleased that his pamphlet [Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ] pleases CD.

Concerning an illustration for CD’s book.

Impressed by Fritz Müller’s argument for natural selection in air-breathing apparatus of crustaceans ["The Darwinian hypothesis supported by observations on Crustacea", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3d ser. 15 (1865): 410–16].

Plans to visit CD.

Sends Fritz Müller citation as CD requested.

Huxley is boldly proclaiming his Darwinism at Royal Institution ["Methods and results of ethnology", Not. Proc. R. Inst. G. B. 4: 460–3; also Collected essays 7 (1894)].

Reading Carl Vogt [Lectures on man (1864)].

Vogt, though anti-Lamarck, is converted to Darwinism.

How did CD handle his sons’ expenses at Cambridge?

Asks Emma to write to Erasmus [E. A. Darwin] in support of Miss Elizabeth Garrett as Professor of Physiology at Bedford College for girls.

Supports Atlantis hypothesis.

"I return your letter to [William] Sharpey." Grandest eulogium CD has received.

Has finished long paper on "Climbing plants". Prefers sending it to Linnean Society if Bentham does not think it too long.

For New Zealand flora [1864–7] CD suggests JDH count plants with irregular corollas and compare with England.

Does not quite agree about Reader.

Is Tyndall author of piece on spiritualism?

CD’s illness diagnosed as "suppressed gout".