Thanks correspondent for writing, "but such malconformations, as you mention, are not very rare & therefore do not possess much novelty".

CD sends thanks for further instructions for making a solution, which will be followed as soon as Francis [Darwin] returns.

Thanks correspondent for information on a plant. It is too late for his present work.

Answers correspondent’s questions on his birth date and when he began work on origin of species.

Refers correspondent to Descent for some information on marriage arrangements, and on the mental and moral nature of monkeys.

Thanks correspondent for sending paper on molluscs.

Asks what to do with [unspecified] receipt.

Thanks for note and plant specimen. Will take care of it for his own sake and Kew’s.

Fly adheres to ceiling by viscid matter on feet. Refers correspondent to B. T. Lowne, Anatomy and physiology of the blow-fly (1870).

Encloses a letter from his son G. H. Darwin and another from his son Francis Darwin.

Declines an invitation to write for an unidentified periodical. "I am unable to write short articles in an interesting manner, & they would consume much of my time."

Asks him to deliver two or three feet of linoleum.

Has resolved never to write for periodicals.

Sends copies of Variation, Descent, and Journal of researches from "the library of my late brother".

Thanks for letter and promise to send pamphlet.

"Earthworms are hermaphrodite, but two must unite & both produce eggs.–– I have seen hundreds coupled, early in the morning & occasionally during the night.––"