RLT will find abundant evidence of absorption by Aldrovanda in CD’s forthcoming book [Insectivorous plants]. Congratulates him on his discovery of ferments.

CD gives a few instances of various animals (starfish, earwigs, spiders) that take charge of their young.

He is "mad about Geology" and plans to ride through Wales in August with a few days at Barmouth.

Some humorous gossip.

CD sends the gist of an extremely negative report from the [Royal Society’s] physiological referee on the value of RLT’s modifications of Brücke’s process for isolating pepsin [see 10470].

Thanks AG for his kind note and returns his good wishes.

Thanks for AW’s work ["Zur Naturgeschichte der Daphniden", Z. Wiss. Zool. 27: 51–112; 28: 93–254; 30 (suppl.): 123–65; 33: 55–270]. CD always interested in adaptations which appear to owe their structure to other causes.

Has not heard from Raphael Meldola for a long time about translation of AW’s Studien.

CD thanks RLT for his two notes, a newspaper article, and a copy of RLT’s address honouring him.

Sends £25 for the Birmingham Philosophical Society scientific fund.

Thanks for information on the slope of ground at Worcester.

CD’s passion now is worms.

Sends Movement in plants. While correcting proof, CD remembered an old article by HHJ, which he regrets not including.

Anxious that AG should consider a memorial [for A. R. Wallace]. Makes arrangements to avoid delay.

Sends memorial [for A. R. Wallace] for AG to sign. Asks whether AG will forward it to Owen; CD cannot send it as he has not spoken to him for 20 years.

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

Thanks for the birthday greetings.

"I feel a very old man and my course is nearly run."

Has asked his publisher to send a copy of Origin. Fears it will be "an abomination" in RO’s eyes. Urges him to read it straight through, as it is a condensed abstract and will otherwise be unintelligible.

Has told Murray to send AS a copy of Origin. CD’s conclusion is diametrically opposed to that which AS has often advocated, but he assures AS he does not send his book out of a spirit of bravado.

Reports on the snakes he collected in the Galapagos.

Treasures recollections of old friends but seldom sees any. Has turned "a complete scribbler".

His scientific activities.

No wife in sight so far.

Recalls the long walks in Cambridge with the "expectant senior wrangler". Cannot accept invitation (related to meetings of the BAAS) because of continuing bad health, his own and that of his children.

Announces his engagement.

Glad CW wondered at Glen Roy. "I saw nothing in my peregrinations to the Antipodes nearly so curious in physical geography."

His idle life and the pleasures of Barmouth: "my reading [in mathematics] is a failure"; "Beettle hunting … is my proper sphere".