Congratulates CD on success of memorial; agrees he should be the one to tell Wallace.

He is buying a portable fire engine, and suggests one is purchased for Down. Wishes to join the Geological Society of London. Is eager to hear Leslie Stephen’s opinion.

Will gladly translate Krause’s letter for Nature; denounces Butler’s book attacking CD.

Thanks LS for his advice and his kind note. When CD thinks how he has been treated he will say to himself "so good a judge as Leslie Stephen thinks nothing of the accusation".

Discusses earthworm activity

and animal grazing on slopes.

Thanks CD for the offer of one of his books, which he gratefully accepts.

Thanks WO for copying and translating [unspecified] passages. CD knew nothing about them, but doubts they are of real use. Passage about summer solstice may indicate something new.

Asks THF to obtain sample of chalk immediately below vegetable mould at Abinger.

Thanks for Movement in plants. Praises the terms CD introduces, but criticises CD’s use of the teleological word "purpose".

Outlines his efforts to study the inheritance of characters in his family. F. Galton overemphasises the inheritance of good qualities.

Sends address of A. R. Wallace. Comments on Wallace’s pension.

[Ernst Krause’s] letter to Nature ["Unconscious memory – Mr Samuel Butler", 23 (1881): 288] has been dispatched.

Gladstone has dated Wallace’s pension from last July, "which is splendid".

Gives an account of the Syracuse Botanical Club and its activities.

Glad WB has arrived in Brazil. Suggests study of insects and study of fertilisation in Melastomataceae. Want of books is not a serious evil.

Discusses JHF’s investigations of animals’ sense of direction. Suggests experiment involving magnetism.

Asks THH to sign a certificate of nomination to Geological Society for his son William, if an interest in geology is still enough to qualify for election.

Thanks CD for writing for papers to enter Geological Society. Will return Leslie Stephen’s letter. Has had a severe frost. Emma’s puppy died.

Describes difficulty of obtaining pigs for experiment.

Has signed William Darwin’s certificate of nomination to Geological Society.

Gives details of his Fisheries appointment.

Thanks AdeC for interesting letter. CD has been annoyed by the multitude of new terms lately invented in all branches of biology in Germany. What AdeC says about the word "purpose" made CD vow not to use it again, but it is difficult to cure oneself of a vicious habit and difficult to avoid for anyone who tries to make out the use of a structure.

Francis will write about the diagram [see 13642].

Writes of WED’s certificate for the Geological Society

and discusses various instances of earthworm activity.