In response to a query from a Mr D. T. Fish, CD reaffirms his view of the efficiency of worms in bringing up in their intestines fine soil from below the surface. Reports on observations, during the past 25 years, which confirm his views.

Thanks CD for lesson that it is wrong to call any plant which lives and thrives "degraded".

Recommends publication of Mrs Barber’s paper on a rare case of fertilisation of a plant by one kind of insect alone, with access of others prevented by a mechanical obstacle [Mary Elizabeth Barber, "On the fertilisation and dissemination of Duvernoia adhatodoides", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 11 (1869): 469–72].

French translation of Orchids will be published by Reinwald. Asks for CD’s new footnotes to be sent.

Development of the horns of local sheep.

Results of breeding tailless pointers: of six puppies, three had stumps like parents.

Observations on Drosophyllum.

Sends a letter (and seeds) from Fritz Müller about a strange monstrous form of Begonia found wild in Brazil. Asks GB whether it is worth communicating to Linnean Society.

Will have Fritz Müller’s letter ["On the modification of the stamens in a species of Begonia", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 11 (1871): 472–4] read at next Linnean Society meeting [read 3 June 1869].

Has given the seeds to Daniel Oliver.

Notes sex ratios in Lepidoptera he is breeding.

Comments on paper by JJW ["On insects and insectivorous birds", Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1869): 21–6]. JJW’s verification of A. R. Wallace’s suggestion regarding inheritance is quite a discovery.

Sends his MS "The real presence" [on transubstantiation] for CD’s comments.

He is managing to salvage a few Andalusian Drosophyllum plants from the voyage and will send some to CD.

Cites article by David Forbes dealing with the geology of the S. American Cordillera ["Geology of Bolivia and South Peru", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 17 (1861): 7–62].

Discusses the flexures of the Cordillera, the age of the mountains, and basaltic dikes in granite areas.

He forwarded CD’s queries on the insane to James Crichton-Browne who has now answered.

Asks for information about male birds migrating before females.

Orders two second-hand books from a dealer’s catalogue.

Thanks for MS observations on expression. Discusses hair standing on end in terror and rage. Asks JC-B to observe contraction of platysma myoides. "Your description of the grinning and exposure of the canine teeth under furious rage is excellent. I presume that you would not object to my quoting it." Asks about contraction of "grief muscles". Comments on blushing. Offers to send book by G. B. A. Duchenne [Mécanisme de la physionomie humaine (1862)].

Thanks GM for specimens of Drosophyllum.

Discusses secondary hoofs in antelope and deer.

Mentions tuft of hair on turkey hen.

Migratory male nightingales and blackcaps arrive before females [see Descent 1: 259].

Discusses chaffinch "Peggers".

Disagrees with CD’s opinion that canary mules are fertile.

Display of colour of greenfinches in courtship.

Thanks for information about bird migration.

Comments on canary hybridisation.