Is returning to Down.

Rejoices that GJR writes so much in Nature.

Encloses notice about Wilhelm Roux’s book [see 13118].

Comments on John Collier’s portrait.

Delighted that portrait of CD has "pleased those who are the best judges".

Arranging for vote on vivisection by International Medical Congress.

Asks CD to contribute to symposium on vivisection to be published in Nineteenth Century [10: 920–48].

Unable to contribute an essay to a symposium on the subject of vivisection. Objects to use of term "symposium".

Mentions articles of Hermann Müller.

Death of his brother Erasmus [26 Aug 1881].

Not intended to call vivisection article a symposium [Nineteenth Century 10 (1881): 920–48].

Sympathy on death of Erasmus Darwin.

Trying some experiments with bees to test their direction-finding methods.

Thanks GJR for his review of Earthworms [Nature 24 (1881): 553–6].

Thinks CD guilty of mock modesty regarding GJR’s review of Earthworms.

Has been working on echinoderms again with J. C. Ewart.

Discusses GJR’s controversy with the Duke [of Argyll] concerning Roux’s book [Der Kampf der Theile im Organismus (1881)].

Discusses subscription for Grant Allen. Suggests present of microscope.

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

Asks him to visit.

Declines to write testimonial for J. C. Ewart.

Says if W. C. McIntosh ‘were to apply again, I could not refuse to allow him to use again my former testimonial’.