Suggests raising money to help Anton Dohrn complete the Naples Zoological Station, which is in danger of remaining unfinished.

Gives Carl Claus’s identifications of the organisms sent by CD.

Asks CD to renew his former offer to propose him for the Royal Society, as Michael Foster, now on the Council, is unable to do so.

CD is glad to propose FMB for Royal Society. Explains information and certificates needed.

Michael Foster approves of names FMB suggested CD apply to [in proposing FMB to the Royal Society] and adds George Allman, Foster, W. H. Flower, and P. M. Duncan, the only biologists on the Council.

Lists his chief publications and suggests names of biologists in the Royal Society whom CD might ask to sign his nomination certificate.

His brother Cecil is reading Coral reefs, and, as his business involves the Keeling Islands and Torres Straits, he offers to make any observations CD might want.

Praises FMB’s BAAS address [on embryology, Rep. BAAS 50 (1880): 636–44]. Recent progress of embryology splendid.

In work on plants, astonished at sensitivity of radicle and its power to transmit stimuli to adjoining part; such general sensitivity should be considered in genesis of nervous system.

Feels "malicious" pleasure at FMB’s criticism of Herbert Spencer.

Thanks for letter, which made up for difficulty of his speech [at BAAS meeting, Swansea].

Has met Horace Darwin and wife;

climbed Matterhorn.

Thanks for copy of Movement in plants; CD’s discovery of a "nervous system without nerves" will have important bearing on origins of animal nervous system.

Asks FMB to translate letter from Ernst Krause [answering criticisms by Samuel Butler] and to send it to Nature [ "Unconscious memory – Mr Samuel Butler" 23 (1881): 288].

Will gladly translate Krause’s letter for Nature; denounces Butler’s book attacking CD.

Thanks FMB for translation of Ernst Krause’s letter for Nature.

Comments on FMB’s book [Treatise on comparative embryology, 2 vols. (1880–1)]. Had already purchased copy. Could second copy be sent to someone else? Fritz Müller?

Thanks for suggesting that a spare copy of his book [Treatise on comparative embryology (1880–1)] be sent to Fritz Müller.