CD has only a trifling point to make in criticism [of RLT’s excerpt from Diseases of women]: he believes "the high value of well-bred males is due to their transmitting their good qualities to a far greater number of offspring than can the female".

Thanks RLT for his work, Diseases of women.

CD is also interested by RLT’s letter reporting a cat rearing chickens. "What a wonderful instinct is the maternal one."

CD declines to write for RLT’s new journal. He is not fitted for the work and dislikes it particularly. It costs loss of time as he "cannot change with ease from one job to another".

Does not know anything about a supra-condyloid process on the humerus, but would like to see RLT’s paper should he publish on the subject.

Thinks CD is right about the retention of a tail.

Has read RLT’s essay [The pathology and treatment of diseases of the ovaries (1874)] with interest. His facts about tumours seem to CD "highly favourable to some such notion as Pangenesis".

Would be glad to make RLT’s acquaintance, but CD’s health would make RLT’s visit to Down unprofitable. Suggests a meeting in London at end of month.