Honoured by offer of medal from Chester Natural History Society, but if he is expected to attend in person to receive it he regrets he must decline. Asks TMH to decide for him.

CD is sorry for the trouble TMH has had. Fully approves of the rule [that the medal be awarded to a local worker?]. The knowledge that the Chester Natural History Society wished to honour him is the real gratification, which he will never forget.

High praise for Island life; ARW’s "best book". Encloses notes of comments and criticism. Hooker pleased by dedication.

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 HTS for a Dahlia flower, but analogous cases of such "bud-variation" have been observed before.

At Mrs Lyell’s request, passes on a spare copy of K. M. Lyell ed. 1881.

Discusses position [at British Museum]. "My case is hopeless as my man [F. W. Surman] is 31 years old."

GCW has correctly expressed CD’s views when he says he intentionally left the question of the origin of life uncanvassed as being altogether ultra vires in the present state of our knowledge. Thinks he may somewhere have said that principle of continuity renders it possible that the principle of life will be shown to be a part of, or consequence of, some general law.