Asks how he can obtain a Museum post for his late brother’s butler, F. W. Surman.

Has promised to pay Hooker about £250 annually "for the formation of a perfect MS catalogue of all known plants [Index Kewensis]".

Thanks EBW for his curious case of mimicry in Scyllaea, which parallels that observed by Albert Günther in Hippocampus.

Difficulty of using concrete instances of the benefit of vivisection in medical science.

Comments on WFRS’s book [Properties and motions of fluids (1881)].

Explains how to go about getting an attendantship at the British Museum.

Acknowledges presentation copy of publication about the Vega voyage [The voyage of the Vega (1881)].

CD again has the pleasure of accepting another grand present, Das Gehörorgan der Wirbelthiere (1881).

Discusses position [at British Museum]. "My case is hopeless as my man [F. W. Surman] is 31 years old."

Case is hopeless since applicant [for position at British Museum] must not be over thirty years old.

Thanks CD for his endowment of new Steudel’s Nomenclator [later to become Index Kewensis].

K. White’s gruesome ballad "Gondoline" frightened JDH as a child.

Detailed criticism of Earthworms.

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’.

The author of a paper on the inferiority of women has cited CD’s Origin as her authority. CK wishes to know if she has satisfactorily represented CD’s views.

The Birmingham Natural History Society found the soft coral Virgularia mirabilis while dredging near Oban, Scotland. They resemble Beagle specimens from Bahia Blanca, which draw themselves into the mud when touched.

Congratulates JP on marriage of daughter.

Consoles him on his poor health.

Death of Mrs Smith a severe loss.

Discusses mule’s resemblance to parents.

CD is unable to give the desired information relating to embryology of the Vertebrata. He advises the procuring of F. M. Balfour’s Comparative embryology, in two volumes [1880–1], which he believes to be the most valuable biological work in many years.

Hopes to find time to read VLS’s essays.

Discussion of the problem of naming species. [See 13568.]

Forwards observations from the Baron de Villa Franca relating to sugar-cane culture.

Statement about a beetle-hunting worm is new to CD.