F. V. Dickins feels hurt at CD’s censure of him over the Omori shell mound controversy [see Collected papers 2: 222–3]. Dickins is well educated in science and long familiar with Japan, having been editor of the Japan Mail. In Japan, E. S. Morse is considered a charlatan, and American scientists, e.g., A. Agassiz, have a low opinion of him.

Wild cat gestation is twelve days longer than domestic cat, a fact not mentioned in Variation.

Corrects CD’s statement [Descent 1: 19] that the platysma myoides muscle cannot be brought into voluntary action. He can move every one of his facial muscles.

Writes regarding an [unspecified] election at a university. JL wonders whether William Darwin would speak to two Southampton men about it.

Hopes CD does not think his faith in natural selection is weak because he omitted mention of it in his lecture.

Is working on dogs. They will make a case for "Darwinismus".

Has planted six, as opposed to eleven acres last year, to keep within expenditure. Must pollen be used immediately? Fourteen landowners are growing potatoes for JT.

Thanks for money for further subscription to Index; FEA soon to step down as editor.

On CD’s solid reputation in America among rising men of science.

Can CD explain why apes still exist, now that humans have evolved.

Thanks for two pamphlets;

Otto Zöckler’s [Darwin’s Grossvater (1880)] he thinks worthless.

Thanks for CD’s comments on his paper ["On a point relating to brain dynamics", Nature 22 (1880): 29–30].

Contends that self-interest as a motive for conduct is more salutary than is generally thought, and should be considered in the evolution of morality.

Thanks CD for the loan of a book;

discusses his family’s health and other domestic affairs.

S. M. Hersfeld [Herzfeld] has applied to WS for financial assistance in order to retrieve some books and apparatus from a carrier. He has previously been aided by CD, so WS seeks his advice.

Since CD supplied Herzfeld with money to retrieve his goods from the carrier, but he did not use it for that purpose, WS sees no way of helping him except to send him home as "a distressed Austrian subject".

Hopes CD got telegram about Convolvulus. Is measuring plants every four hours. Will go to Brittany by boat from Southampton on Monday night.

Writes of a Mrs Noel, who is annoyed with CD’s neglect of Erasmus Darwin’s brother, W[illiam] A[lvey] D[arwin I], [in Erasmus Darwin].

Summarises points of interest in his Report upon cotton insects [U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology (1879)].

CD’s portrait at exhibition is praised by critics. CD and the Prime Minister may boast of having been in their day "the best abused men in England".

Sets out specific propositions concerning his potato varieties, which he will make to the Government, if he is given CD’s and T. H. Farrer’s support.

Requests permission to quote Journal of researches passages in a school text-book [Relfe Brothers model reading-books … in prose and verse (1880–3)]. John Murray has previously refused.

Thanks CD for writing to Murray concerning Journal of researches extracts for his reading-book.