Describes difficulty of conditions for the experiment with Drosera suggested by THF.

Thanks THF for information from Colonial Office on population statistics showing the inhabitants of some areas are far from becoming sterile.

Wishes to reprint his four Linnean Society papers on di- and trimorphic plants [Forms of flowers]. Requests permission and woodblocks of figures.

CD is delighted with report from THF about activity of worms in Roman-British ruins at Abinger.

Thanks THF for the diary of worm activity at Abinger site.

CD desires her to say that the cream of THF’s letter of congratulations about William [Darwin]’s marriage [to Sara Sedgwick] lay in the P.S. about "the beloved worms, and not in any such trifles as marrying, &c".

Has received Ledum with its captured flies.

"At present I care for nothing in this wide world except the biology of seedling plants."

Doubts Ledum warrants investigation. Glands probably serve only to protect the flowers against crawling insects, which would not cross-fertilise them.

Requests the return of some plates sent in error.

Sends specimens of Passiflora and seeds for T. H. Farrer [letter enclosed with 7188].

Encloses part of letter from Fritz Müller on Passiflora, with seeds.

Is endeavouring to have included in next census a question as to whether the parents in each household are cousins.

Fertilisation of barberries.

Passiflora.

Is continuing his experiments on the comparative growth of crossed and self-fertilised plants.

Encloses seeds from Fritz Müller, of a species of Passiflora, fertilised by a humble-bee.

Sends five papers from J. P. M. Weale for consideration by the Linnean Society.

Is sending some books for the Linnean Society Library.

Was aware of Maine’s view but never thought of its extension to morals. Cannot avoid thinking that personal property like flint tools must have "strictly belonged to individuals as much as a bone to a dog".

Thinks J. P. M. Weale’s papers all require great condensation.

Thanks for providing turtle soup.

Not quite so sure he thanks VL for introducing Richard Buckley Litchfield into the Darwin family to be CD’s son-in-law.

Asks about the lip position of a pouting child.

Refers GH to vol. 2, p. 431 of Variation for the "perplexed conclusion" at which CD has arrived on variation and design. Has nothing to add to this statement.

Sends 6th ed. of Origin;

draws attention to his criticism of ARW’s estimate of Kovalevsky;

mentions his disagreement with much of Spencer’s doctrine

and in a postscript points out an inaccuracy in an article in Once a Month.