Fly adheres to ceiling by viscid matter on feet. Refers correspondent to B. T. Lowne, Anatomy and physiology of the blow-fly (1870).

Encloses a letter from his son G. H. Darwin and another from his son Francis Darwin.

Declines an invitation to write for an unidentified periodical. "I am unable to write short articles in an interesting manner, & they would consume much of my time."

Asks him to deliver two or three feet of linoleum.

Has resolved never to write for periodicals.

Sends copies of Variation, Descent, and Journal of researches from "the library of my late brother".

Thanks for letter and promise to send pamphlet.

"Earthworms are hermaphrodite, but two must unite & both produce eggs.–– I have seen hundreds coupled, early in the morning & occasionally during the night.––"

Recommends papers on Styrian Cave insects and American cave animals.

Thanks for information on inheritance of mental peculiarities in cats.

[Excised fragment only.] "I am greedy for facts.—"

Asks correspondent if he would prefer the President’s signature alone or with those of other scientific men.

Regrets not having a duplicate of one of his books to give away. "You will before long no doubt be able to borrow a copy."

Discusses exchange of photographs with Édouard Claparède, "for whom I feel the highest respect".

"When a man has laboured hard in science & has proved that he is capable of original research, he may [some]times indulge in speculation [&] the public will indulge him. But even in this case it is a common error to speculate too largely, for speculation is far easier than observation or experiments . . ."

Declines invitation to ride because he is "so very subject to headache".

Concerning specimens he wants collected in the Azores.

Will be glad to see recipient and Mr Morris at Down the following day.

Responds to correspondent’s request for information about shells from the Coquimbo beds in Chile. Difficulty in deciding on age of deposits and species. Notes views of Alcide d’Orbigny.

Obliged for memoir with illustrations on most interesting point [unspecified] to occur in many years.