Delighted by honour CD has received from Turin. Agrees with Horace that the money ought to be given to the Zoological Station at Naples.

Circular letter regarding the distribution of CD’s excess income, with a note addressed to W. E. Darwin concerning his handling of Elizabeth Darwin’s share.

Send CD a present of a fur coat.

Thanks his children for their present of a fur coat.

Thanks CD for giving money to the children. Is going to give money to Bessy, but not invest it until she is really rich. Returns Butler’s letter. Thinks Butler is looking for a grievance to write an article about.

"Dia" [as a prefix] means "through, across".

WED’s wife would like to meet the Huxleys.

Discusses a book

and the "splendid news about the elections".

Is beginning Geikie’s Ice age. Describes flints found on the common. Comments on exciting election.

Forwards John Lubbock’s letter and hopes WED might influence the men "for the sake of science".

Sends Asa Gray’s lectures on Natural science and religion [1880].

Greatly enjoyed their stay at Bassett.

Wants WED to collect some worm-castings from Beaulieu Abbey.

Asks whether CD will forward enclosed to Lord Derby, and offers to send him a copy of the New York state survey. Will go to Beaulieu in the early autumn. Tells story about gallenes raised by hens being attacked.

Writes about gravel deposits [at Southampton] and sends a James Geikie letter [12655?] on the subject.

Returns Geikie’s letter; is glad he has accepted settlement of gravel through melting of snow. Is trudging around with hammer and bag with help of Ramsay’s book. Describes visits to Kenilworth and Stratford. Sara consulted a physician. Called on Reginald D. and enjoyed meeting relations and seeing picture of Erasmus. Reginald very taken with George.

Asks CD to invite William James to stay before he returns to America.

Writes about worm-castings; tells WED not to bother with samples from Beaulieu Abbey.

Wants some more rubber bands for his wrist.

Sends four wrist bands, and advice on putting them on. George is well. Can easily get worm castings. Lilly and Mlle Wild arrived in a storm to stay the night. Is much amused by Sedgwick’s ferocious letter about Vestiges.

Thanks CD for copy of Movement in plants and says he is enjoying it. Is pleased that a full article appeared in the Times. Will go to Beaulieu soon for worm casts. His gardener calls worms “our civil engineers”. Promised to tell Frank how to make plants bend.

Asks WED to observe whether worms consistently draw acacia leaves into their burrows with a particular end first.

Will soon know whether he will need worm-castings from Beaulieu.