Is glad to hear that Hermann Müller approves of D’AWT’s translation of his work [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)]; he hopes a publisher may be found for a work of such high value.

Discusses possible case of inherited memory involving Pompilus. Cites similar example of electric eel.

Orders two bottles of "the simple Antispasmodic" and "the Glycerin Pepsin mixture". Andrew Clark wishes him to commence his physic at once.

Asks JDH to read the enclosed Memorial, sign it, and send it to T. H. Huxley.

JL’s sentence about glaciation will do excellently. Is glad JL thought about dimorphism of butterflies.

Asks him to visit.

Wants some more rubber bands for his wrist.

Requests a list of books.

Arrangements regarding HD’s allowances.

Krause altered the MS [of his essay on Erasmus Darwin] considerably before sending it to be translated. This is a common practice, but CD now regrets he did not state in his preface that the article had been modified. The translation had been arranged before SB’s book [Evolution, old and new] was announced.

JP is right; CD gave up [Glen Roy theory] when he read T. F. Jamieson ["On the parallel roads of Glen Roy", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 19 (1863): 235–58].

Returns BJS’s Christmas good wishes.

The progress of Tierra del Fuego is almost as wonderful as that of Japan.

Is sorry to hear about Mellersh.

Thanks for awarding him the Bressa prize. Has sent an order to receive the 12,000 lira.

Admiration of ARW’s ["The origin of species and genera", Nineteenth Century (Jan 1880)]. Good use of Allen’s "admirable researches".

Disappointment about the Epping Forest appointment.

Farrer’s article in Fortnightly Review.

Has read AE’s paper in Nature [21 (1880): 217] on Melochia, a new family of heterostyled plants, and suggests some crosses to be carried out to determine the fertility of illegitimate seedlings.

The reviews of Erasmus Darwin are mainly favourable.

Requests that they receive, on his behalf, an award of 12000 lira [lire!?] from the Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin, and transmit it to the Union Bank, London.

Thanks for the information about Dr Erasmus Darwin and his parents.

Thanks JHF for copy of his Souvenirs entomologiques [1879].

Regrets he is unwilling to join [Epping Forest Field Club], but encloses a guinea to aid with their preliminary expenses.