Asks for CD’s opinion on certain theistic ideas. If spontaneous generation from inorganic material is denied, then life must be derived from some eternal being.

Thanks CD for helping to get him elected to the Athenaeum.

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.

Encloses MS on sexual selection acting on street dogs of Beirut [MS of "On the modification of a race of Syrian street dogs", Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 25 (1882): 367–70, published with a prefatory notice by CD.

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].

Gives information about the Great Western Railway dividend.

Testifies to F. W. Surman’s good character and honesty.

Offering to send a copy of Kosmos containing a short review of her Life, letters and journals of Sir Charles Lyell, Bart. (K. M. Lyell ed. 1881).

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