Asks CD’s help in obtaining data on finger-prints – both of ancient impressions in pottery and of living men of all races. Suggests a comparative study with similar markings of lemuroid monkeys might yield results of value about man’s origin. Gives the practical utility of prints in identification in criminal and legal studies and investigations. Encloses a form.

Agrees not to reply to Butler.

Testimonial for S. B. J. Skertchly, stating CD’s high opinion of his work.

Asks CD to telegraph a testimonial for him.

Thanks correspondent for a gift of books.

Thanks for the honour conferred upon him by the Epping Forest Field Club.

Seed germination.

Strange that his plants [of Megarrhiza] behaved differently from AG’s [see 12455].

On clubroot fungus of cultivated Cruciferae.

Will give Russian wheat varieties another trial.

On instinct in insects. Intends to experiment as CD proposes.

Discusses sense of direction of cats and other animals.

Speculates on origin of habit [of insects?] of laying eggs on plants of certain families.

Nature [21 (1880): 382] has an item about tremors and earth movements in Japan.

Thanks CD for his offer. Suggests it be used to start a fund to pay travel expenses of English naturalists who want to come to the Station.

No one can prove death is inevitable, but the evidence in favour of this belief is overwhelming. It is in the highest degree improbable that man should cease to follow the general law of evolution, and evolution implies successive generations, which implies death.

Gladly turns reading room over to JWCF for his mission work. Through his gospel services there is not a drunkard left in the village.

Leaves decision as to use of his gift to AD.

Forwards, on behalf of the Birmingham Philosophical Society, an address offering CD the first honorary membership of the Society. Encloses formal record of this meeting.

Plants in Venezuelan plains.

Observations on Turnera: heterostyly, leaf-base glands’ secretion eaten by ants.

Observations on role of leaf secretions in fertilisation of Marcgravia and Passiflora.

Thanks JLC for his letter, pedigree, and MS of the history of the Darwin family.

Thanks for CD’s appreciation of his work on family history. Sends one of his books [unidentified].