"The following fact with respect to the habits of ants, which I believe to be quite new, has been sent to me by a distinguished geologist, Mr J. D. Hague [see 8788]; and it appears well worth publishing."

Sends JT the list and amounts subscribed for Huxley. It will probably amount to £1800. He will write to Huxley and use every argument he can to make him accept.

CD did not bring any tortoises back from the Galapagos. There may be specimens at the Military Institution in Whitehall.

Sorry AG was unable to lunch with the Darwins during their stay in London.

Thanks AWM for "Comus" and an abusive New Orleans Mardi Gras newspaper editorial; he cannot tell from the "wonderful mistakes" whether the writer is "witty, ignorant, or blunders for the sake of fun".

"Try only 1 or 2 drops of Formic A[cid]."

Thanks for letter and curious photographs. Urges AR not to send anything valuable unless he publishes it elsewhere because CD is growing old and may not have strength and time to continue his former researches.

Photographs sent by JC-B show great power of acting.

David Ferrier’s researches sound wonderful. Does he believe that he excites an idea and this leads to the movement, or that he acts directly on the motor nerves?

Fears all the seeds are dead. Will try with less vapour of formic acid.

The Huxley fund amounts to £1955. CD trembles about THH’s answer.

Writes of his extreme interest in WBC’s article ["On the hereditary transmission of acquired psychical habits", Contemp. Rev. 21 (1873): 779–95].

Informs THH that 18 friends have given him a fund of £2100 to enable him to take a holiday.

Affected by THH’s letter – will send a copy to the other 17 friends. Hopes for his and public’s sake his health will improve.

A circular letter forwarding to subscribers a copy of Huxley’s letter of thanks [8873].

Sends Huxley’s "charming letter". Asks whether it should be sent to Lady Millicent Jones. CD is "so happy about the whole affair".

Sends another copy [of Huxley’s letter of thanks for holiday fund].

It has just occurred to CD that he ought not to leave a copy of Huxley’s confidential letter in the hands of anyone. Asks JT to write to ask recipients to return the copies to CD at Down.

Encloses note from J. T. Moggridge commenting on JDH’s letter ["Perception in ants", Nature 7 (1873): 443–4].

Offers condolences on the death of CL’s wife.

Recommends Hermann Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen [1873].

Asks whether GC knows who gave CD a scolding in last Edinburgh Review [Apr 1873].