Notes advertisement of Tito Vignoli, Fundamentalgesetz der Intelligenz im Thierreiche [1879].

Declines to sign petition concerning Professorship of Pathology at Cambridge.

Sends thanks to the Masters for congratulations on his birthday, saying "the approbation & sympathy of one’s fellow-workers in the acquisition of knowledge is the highest possible reward which any man ought to desire".

Discusses the value of a vegetable diet.

Thanks LAE for publication [Errera and G. Gevaert, Sur la structure et les modes de fécondation des fleurs, 1ère partie (1878)].

Comments on book by LAE and Gustave Gevaert [see 11916].

Has just read GA’s article in Fortnightly Review ["A problem of human evolution", 31 (1879): 778–86]. GA’s views very probable. Something wonderful to hear anyone defending sexual selection.

Does not feel competent to judge on matters of measurement. R. B. Litchfield to look into case.

Asks that authoress be thanked for poem. Enjoyed poetry in old days; now cannot read a line.

Delighted that ERL will find time for original investigations.

Contributes to subscription for Grant Allen.

Regrets GJR and wife could not visit.

Encloses paper [not identified] by Thomas Meehan, a very inaccurate observer.

CD expresses the pleasure the Darwins had in the courtesies extended them by the Marshalls at Coniston.

CD responds to VM’s desire to plant a tree in his honour by offering three choices.

Again expresses his pleasure in Coniston.

Acknowledges that Ruskin was right about his feeling "a deep and tender interest about the brightly coloured hinder half of certain monkeys".

Thanks GJR for gift of game.

Contributes to [Naples] Zoological Station.

Promises to send an oak.

Encloses a cheque to the Down Coal and Clothing Club.

Thanks ERS for information about variation in horses.