Asks writer of an article on weeds why he supposes "there is too much reason to believe that foreign seed of an indigenous species is often more prolific than that grown at home?" The point is of interest to CD "in regard to the great battle of life which is perpetually going on all around us". Cites analogous observations by Asa Gray and J. D. Hooker. Does writer know "of any other analogous cases of a weed introduced from another land beating out … a weed previously common in any particular field or farm?"

Glad THH has taken up aphid question versus Owen ["On the agamic reproduction and morphology of Aphis", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 22 (1858): 193–236].

Fertilisation and inheritance discussed. Speculates that fertilisation may be a mixture rather than a fusion. Can understand in no other way why crossed forms tend to go back to ancestral forms.

The [Irish] rabbits arrived safely. "They shall be skeletonized." CD now has rabbits from Shetland, Madeira and Ireland; hopes to receive one from Jamaica.

Letter accompanying the nineteen volumes of Sir James Edward Smith's scientific correspondence, in which she stipulates two conditions concerning the volumes: one, that they never be removed from the Linnean Society's rooms for perusal, and second, that should the Society cease to exist the letters not be dispersed but placed in the British Museum with the library of Sir Joseph Banks. Includes envelope.

Thanks JH for advice on several persons and for suggestion concerning the Leviathan. Remarks on R. C. Carrington's circumpolar star work. Writes to R.S.L. Council concerning François Arago's nomination for medal.