Is obliged for the clear answers to his queries.

Regrets that his health will not permit a visit to Wroxeter.

Will sign his name on next page, but "what geese people are about autographs".

Expresses doubts that pigeons could rest one wing during flight.

Glad GHD goes on with ripple-marks; if he makes out a theory of ripples, they might give important information about the most ancient deposits.

CD has been wonderfully glorified in the Times [review of Movement in plants, 20 Nov 1880].

Likes appearance [of Movement in plants].

The Times review should sell a few more copies.

Thanks Murray for present of volumes by Charles St John [A tour in Sutherlandshire, 2 vols. (1849?)].

Thanks SH for her kind letter; would like to see her again.

Very pleased by JVC’s note about Movement in plants. Feared he would find it intolerably dull. Some missing sheets are being replaced. Also sends a perfect copy.

Admires Wallace’s Island life.

Criticises: 1. His view of similar plants on distant mountains – CD prefers previous low-land connections to Wallace’s summit–summit dispersal;

2. Source of warmth for ancient Arctic climate;

3. Origin of S. Australian flora.

CD’s favourite cases in Movement in plants.

WTT-D’s suggestion about absorbent function of pegs in Abronia suggests origin of pegs in Welwitschia, which deeply interests CD. Previously could not see how pegs became large enough to be of mechanical use. Now thinks tissue between hypocotyl and radicle absorbs fluid, which would favour rise of peg to expose larger surface.

Rejects German contempt for investigating use of organs.

Asks WTT-D to observe how worms draw Robinia leaves into burrows.

Discusses GHD’s ripple theory. Asks him how they are formed.

Delighted to hear that light is dawning in GHD’s eyes on the planetary system.

Asks WED to observe whether worms consistently draw acacia leaves into their burrows with a particular end first.

Will soon know whether he will need worm-castings from Beaulieu.

CD does "not believe in the Bible as a divine revelation".

Asks GEM to thank La Scuola Italica for the honour conferred upon him.

References to Fritz Müller’s papers relevant to Weismann’s Studien [in Kosmos (Aug, Sept, and Oct 1877)].

Will be pleased to have VOK come to Down any day.

Thanks for his great work on prehistoric remains in Portugal and his paper on Tertiary formations.

Thanks for note. CD had had misgivings about Chatin but had assumed he was trustworthy [see Movement in plants, p. 389].

Is glad that Hooker will sign memorial for Wallace’s pension. Had thought it hopeless because Hooker objected to ARW’s spiritualism and his bet on the sphericity of the globe.

Thanks to Times review, Murray needs 500 more copies [of Movement in plants].

Has heard of flood from which Fritz Müller escaped. Has he lost books, microscope, apparatus? Offers £50 or £100.

Will send copy of Movement in plants.

Encloses copies of articles [unspecified].