CD cannot answer his question concerning the death of earthworms. The usual cause is through parasitic larva of a fly. Worms are susceptible to certain poisons from plants.

Glad his book [Earthworms] has interested HHL.

Cannot find in his library the translation made by Walter Elliot of a Persian tract on pigeons by Sayzid Mohammed Musari.

Comments on James Geikie’s ["Intercrossing of erratics", Scottish Naturalist 6 (1882): 193–200, 241–54]. Believes JG underrates importance of floating ice in explaining drift deposits.

Comments on origin of life and natural theology.

Recommends William Graham’s The creed of science [1881].

Thanks ID for a copy of his book, Atlantis [1882], which CD will read with interest but "in a very sceptical spirit".

Letter of introduction for Romilly Allen.

Strongly supports the proposed biological laboratory at Villefranche.

Will send shell by post to British Museum. Will prepare article for Nature [see 13696].

Orders morphia pills in case of severe pain, which he hopes may never occur.

Thanks for letter and promise to send pamphlet.

Much regrets the state of his health will prevent his attending the [Science Defence] Association meeting.

Sends enclosure [missing].

Subject of SG’s essay would be well worth pursuing. CD has long known that stones were transported by floating Fuci, but not that they were dragged along the sea-bottom.

Shell smashed by careless servant. May have been Cyclas cornea. Will send letter to Nature.

Mechanism of flowers of Maranta has already been described by F. H. G. Hildebrand and Federico Delpino.

Will send letter to Nature about shell [attached to beetle]. Will use old name of Cyclas.

Feels better. Grateful for THH’s kind letter. Wishes there were more automata like him.

Thanks HG for kind offer. CD is not well enough to examine the Utricularia, but will try to look at the Nitella.

Recommends PG for chair of natural history.

GCW has correctly expressed CD’s views when he says he intentionally left the question of the origin of life uncanvassed as being altogether ultra vires in the present state of our knowledge. Thinks he may somewhere have said that principle of continuity renders it possible that the principle of life will be shown to be a part of, or consequence of, some general law.

Thinks Mr Loct[?] ought to have sent an addressed envelope.