Asks whether he is to give a gratuity of "cinquanta lire sterling" to the cook at 6 Queen Anne St.

Lists errata in Earthworms, which he is translating.

Case of Roman roads would have been worth investigating for Earthworms. [See 13531.]

Comments on CD’s Earthworms.

Discusses breeding habits of salmon; will the reliance on autumn-breeding fish to produce young lead to the decline of the number of spring- and summer-breeders in the rivers?

He would support a foreigner for professorship of botany as CD suggests. W. T. Thiselton-Dyer is proposing W. C. Williamson, whom HNM considers a disaster.

Discusses subscription for Grant Allen. Suggests present of microscope.

Thanks JVC for his corrections of "stupid errata" [in Earthworms]. Explains, in answer to JVC’s query, that he has used the word "humus" as the equivalent of vegetable mould.

Thanks CD for copy of Earthworms.

Earthworms leave their burrows on hearing rifle volleys.

DJW’s facts are new and curious. CD has other reasons to believe he was wrong in doubting the effect on earthworms of beating the ground.

CD is glad birth [of Erasmus Darwin] is over and that Ida has borne it so well.

Financial paperwork; pleased at news of Horace and Ida Darwin’s baby, Erasmus.

PG’s article in Encyclopaedia Britannica wonderfully well done ["Insectivorous plants", 9th ed., 13: 134–40].

Admires PG’s researches on chlorophyll in animal kingdom ["Observations on the physiology and histology of Convoluta Schultzii", Proc. Roy. Soc. Lon. 28 (1878–9): 449–57].

Thanks for Earthworms [fifth thousand].

Sends two of his papers.

Declines to provide testimonial for J. C. Ewart, since he has already done so for Lankester. Was also asked by W. C. M’Intosh.

Thanks for copy of Origin with its flattering inscription.

Hopes some day to have leisure to do original research.

Remarks on the sinking of piles of cannonballs in old forts; presumably a consequence of earthworm activity.

Earthworms appear on surface after a heavy storm.

Andrew Clark finds that CD’s heart is perfectly right.

Paperwork relating to 6 Queen Anne Street, London.