Sends CD a book on science and scriptures written by a clergyman friend [unidentified].

Points out comment by Grant Allen supporting his theory of the origin of colour sense. Is English translation of his essay possible?

Respects Leopold Würtenberger’s work. Will initiate inquiry if CD wishes. LW’s work suffers from his limited circumstances. Will assist him if he asks.

Mentions his own forthcoming work ["Zur Kenntniss der Fauna des untersten Lias in den Nordalpen", Abh. K.-K. Geol. Reichsanst. 7 (1874–82), vol. 5].

Thanks CD for accepting dedication.

Asks CD to support his candidacy for position as Registrar of the University of London by talking to Sir John Lubbock, one of the most influential members of the Senate.

Suggests references that might answer CD’s [unidentified] request for information about coral islands.

Has offered Leopold Würtenberger money to aid in his work.

F. Galton and others suggest that he go in for Fellowship [of Royal Society]. Asks that CD propose him. If he is unable to do so HWB will not be hurt to wait another year.

Thanks for CD’s interest in his paper on plant movements ["Über die Ursachen der periodischer Bewegungen der Blumen und Laubblätter", Flora 56 (1873): 433–41, 449–55]. AFB concentrated on clear cases, though he knows there are others.

Experiments on function of movement: Mimosa leaves, held so they cannot move, die.

Thanks CD for gift to support his research.

Comments on EM’s work in Dolomites [Die Dolomit-Riffe von Südtirol (1879)]. Had wondered whether ancient corals formed reefs.

Obliged for EM’s photograph. Sends his own.

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.

Birthday wishes.

Statement of U.S. sales of CD’s works.

Cites evolutionary passages by Alexander Braun in English edition of Braun’s Verjüngung [1853].

A stonemason who has read Origin and Descent and defends CD’s theory against theological prejudice, would like to read CD’s other books but is too poor to afford them.

Sends regards from Capt. Charles Owen, who had collected beetles for CD.

Owen’s son is going to Oregon with Wallis Nash.

Has arranged for publication of his translation of Weismann.

S. H. Scudder article on sexual dimorphism in butterflies [Proc. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. 12 (1877): 150–8].

£100 has arrived and LW will set to work.

GH no longer believes in the value of cross-fertilisation in plants.

Sends birthday wishes.

Comments on progress of CD’s theory in Germany. Mentions opposition of Rudolf Virchow and his reply Freie Wissenschaft und freie Lehre [1878].

Describes research trip to Brittany and Normandy.

Research on Challenger Radiolaria.