Asks CD to examine his idea that human and animal sociology are related, as each is based on the principle of mutual concession (derived from Schopenhauer’s law of compassion). If CD approves, he should write a note and forward it and GMA’s letter to Macmillan’s Magazine.

Thanks for present and letter.

Wishes a good trip to the lakes and sends love to family members.

CD awarded honorary LL.D. degree by Cambridge University. [See 11212.]

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.

A friend of JJA’s wants CD’s opinion on whether the disease porigo decalvans (hair falling out in clumps) demonstrates the link between man and dogs and has continued to evolve with man after he passed out of his "hairy-animal state".

Capt. [Richard?] Burton disagrees with CD’s notion of beauty in the abstract, and would like to meet him.

Expresses great admiration for CD and requests a picture of him with his signature.

Idea has struck him that might be of use to CD: that rapid changes during growth as in some plants and in insect metamorphosis may bear analogy to the slower changes resulting in the formation of new varieties.

Encloses Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, with account of a fungus that exhales chlorine;

relates his discovery in 1852 of a flowering plant that had "perfectly formed beetles" in the place of anthers.

Forwards a copy of the Student’s Magazine, which contains the first of a series of articles on CD and his work.

Has been discussing spontaneous generation with William Robinson of the Garden. Reports having found grubs that developed in an undamaged, hard-boiled egg. Has similarly treated eggs if CD wants to investigate.

Sends set of illustrations for Expression marked to show those that could be improved for a future edition.

Thinks flowers of Hottonia project from the stem nearly horizontally, perhaps slightly upwards.

Sorry that he cannot help with Pulmonaria angustifolia.

Asks for information about alleged regeneration of amputated human fingers and toes. Mentions observations on regeneration of salamander extremities.

Thanks for reference concerning regeneration of human fingers and toes.

Sends lecture on language.

Asks for information about animal communication by vocal sounds.

Has been told CD wants photo of him; sends one. Requests a portrait photo of CD for his album. KEvB apologises for his English and his shaky hand; he is 88 years old.

Has noticed citation of his observations in CD’s latest books; writes to add some notes on fertilisation and forms of flowers.

Encloses flowers. Long-styled form may be a sport.

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.

Calls CD’s attention to the fact that Huxley’s view [in Lessons in elementary physiology (1866)] of lymphatic fluid as overflow from blood supports CD’s view of secretion of tears in Expression.