Sends CD some samples of recent produce. Is "pretty well disgusted by the apathy and stupidity" he has encountered whilst trying to arouse interest and support for his work.

Sends boxes of Lake Geneva pebbles that CD requested.

Reports some observations on the growth of hair on his baby son’s ears.

Obliged for potatoes. Has instructed that they be planted and labelled.

Returns the two books JHG had lent him. "I can plainly see I had better say nothing about the acidity of common mould."

Encloses statement of U. S. sales of CD’s works to 1 Feb 1881 and sends cheque for balance due to CD.

Thanks HdS for pebbles of Roman bricks. When he goes over MS [Earthworms] again, he will compare smoother ones with those having undergone attrition in gizzards of worms.

Has received book [La question du lac] sent by HdS.

Also sends photograph taken by Leonard Darwin of CD.

Requests photograph of HdS to add to his collection.

Reports the observations of Thomas Bridges on the Fuegian natives. Discusses especially the languages of the area.

Describes light-stimulated movement in fronds of the fern Asplenium.

FM’s view on meaning of two-coloured stamens in many flowers; CD has been looking through his old notes on dimorphism for supporting evidence. Intends to send extract of FM’s letter to Nature or to Linnean Society.

Thanks for BJS’s account of the Fuegians. CD would have predicted that "not all the missionaries in the world could have done what has been done".

Will proof-read his preface to Weismann’s Studien.

Wants plants with two sets of anthers of different colours. Fritz Müller letter [13041a] has made him wish to renew experiments and observations carried out 20 years ago.

Comments on HMW’s discovery concerning growth of hair on human ears. Asks permission to publish fact.

Thanks JVC for corrections of Movement in plants. Sends a clarifying sentence.

Earthworms nearly done – "a small book of little moment".

Reports his health is better than it was, "but I have little strength & feel very old".

Suggests transplanting plant ovaries to test Pangenesis.

None of the cats released in experiment found its way back.

Discusses difficulties involved in plant experiment designed to test Pangenesis.

Is glad CD finds his observations on hair growth on ears new and interesting.

Mentions instances in which young birds possess abilities lacking in the adult.

Has received WBT’s fine work [Edward Blyth, The natural history of the cranes, enlarged and reprinted by WBT (1881)].

Thanks EBT for gift of Anthropology [1881].