Concern over CD’s health. Advises him to get one of the cleverer young London doctors to communicate with Andrew Clark. Only way out of difficulties with Clark.

Formal letter of thanks for contribution to Mrs C. T. Beke.

Believes heterostyly could be produced by artificial selection.

Apologises for not having answered CD’s letters of 19 December [13564] and 4 January [13599] sooner.

Gives the results of his crossing experiments with Pontederia (Eichhornia) crassipes and P. azurea. Has also begun experiments on Heteranthera reniformis.

Thanks CD for sending three parts of the first volume of Bentham and Hooker’s Genera plantarum.

Has forwarded some plants of Nitella opaca. Has observed their struggle for existence for several years in the gravel-pit pools at Mitcham.

Is trying to get some cobra poison for CD.

Reminds CD of three cards JLA sent in February for CD to sign and date and write his good wishes on.

Solicits CD’s subscription to the Rolleston Memorial Fund, which will be used for a post-graduate prize at Oxford and Cambridge.

Thanks CD for contribution to Rolleston Fund

and for congratulations on his Professorship at Oxford.

Sends fact about earthworms.

A friend once "caught" an oyster while fishing, which confirms CD’s note ["On the dispersal of freshwater bivalves", Collected papers 2: 276–8].

Sends more Trifolium resupinatum.

In France as in England there is indignation at the insults Decaisne suffered in the last years of his life.

Charles Martins has lost his Professorship at Montpellier.

The Secretary to the First Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Works thanks CD for providing the funds for a new edition of Steudel’s Nomenclator [Index Kewensis].

Reports observations on curious cats that appear to be cat–rabbit hybrids.

Argues that women are as regular "bread-winners" as men, though generally unrecognised as such, and that they possess the same qualities as men but lack the educational opportunities. Before women can be judged intellectually inferior to men they must share the same environment and opportunities. With "enlightened intellect, united with her wholesome moral nature" woman could help with the "propagation of the best and the survival of the fittest in the human species".

An experienced keeper of house plants assures CD that earthworms do not injure roots.

Thanks CD for financial assistance for Mr Fitch and his wife.