Thinks it would be a serious mistake for TB to give up his profession. How the Royal Society will distribute funds is as yet very uncertain, and CD feels that TB may well receive no support as his proposal is too theoretical.

Asks if CD agrees with Carl Claus’s Grundzüge der Zoologie [3d ed. (1876)], in separating tunicates from molluscs.

[Draft of letter for Francis Darwin to write to SF.] CD declines to express an opinion on SF’s query.

Writes of his admiration for CD and requests an autograph or photo.

Gives his opinion on the education of girls in physiology. Would regret that any girl who wished to learn physiology should be checked.

Wants Francis [Rhodes] Darwin’s address; also asks if CD has heard "the great news".

Remarks on the difference between the sexes in Restionaceae and other subjects – occasioned by reading the introduction [to Forms of flowers].

Introduces his son Casimir, who is visiting England.

Reports on his work. Relationships of shells found at Steinheim; attempts to elucidate the genesis of different forms.

TB is seeking a Government grant through the Royal Society so that he can give up his business and pursue his work on the glacial period; wants CD to support him with a note to Hooker.

Would like Price’s address.

Has "the missing link" been found in New Guinea, as he read in the newspaper?

Offers CD the nest of a foreign bird pressed on him by a neighbour.

Thanks AN for telling him of the complex cross among wagtails. CD is surprised that so much close interbreeding does not check their propagation.

CD does not suppose he will ever have strength to work up his data on hybridism, so he will not write to Mr Monk.

TABS is pleased that CD found something of interest in his researches in Crete [Travels and researches in Crete (1869)].

Orchids [2d ed.] will soon be published.

1000 more copies of Descent [2d ed.] will soon have to be printed, so CD could send any alterations to be made in the plates.

Sends photographs of himself.

Thanks CD for book [Cross and self-fertilisation]

and Francis Darwin for publications.

Sends nest of a Uruguayan bird.

Discusses publication of CD’s essays in three German popular periodicals.

Haeckel is ill.

German translation of George Darwin, "Marriage between first cousins" [1875] has sold 250 copies.

Has read CD’s note on the scarcity of holly berries ["Holly berries" (1877), Collected papers 2: 189–90] resulting from the scarcity of bees. Believes the shortage of bees resulted from the wet year 1875, which led to a very poor honey harvest.

Observations on and explanations of the scarcity of fruit and berries (especially holly berries) evident that year.