Discusses matters relating to Great Western Railway Company stock.

Sends the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union’s publications prior to the visit to Down of its deputation.

Thanks for seeds of Megarrhiza and for information in letter to Asa Gray.

Will send copy of Movement in plants in which Megarrhiza is discussed [see pp. 81–2].

Thanks for address honouring him.

High praise for Island life; ARW’s "best book". Encloses notes of comments and criticism. Hooker pleased by dedication.

If every copy [of Movement in plants] is sold at 15s, CD will lose about £50.

Thanks CD for his reply to her letter.

Offers to send him a copy of her book on her expedition to Patagonia [Across Patagonia (1880)].

Six hundred copies of Movement in plants were wanted [at Murray’s annual sale] – a good start.

Has read THH’s review of Sir Wyville Thomson’s [Introduction to the] Voyage of the "Challenger".

Sends a draft of a letter for Nature [Collected papers 2: 223–4]. He particularly asks THH to decide whether he should include a certain paragraph [see ML 1: 389].

Sir Wyville Thomson misunderstands natural selection when he says the theory "refers the evolution of species to extreme variation guided only by natural selection". CD demurs at the "extreme variation" and the "only". No one has said evolution depends only on natural selection. CD has adduced many facts on the effects of use and disuse and on the direct action of the environment.

Lectured on mental evolution in Newcastle.

Has conducted interesting research on locomotor systems of echinoderms.

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

He has observed several instances of animals’ tails lying to the left in rigor mortis. Is this a general rule?

Has spoken to Wallace to see if reluctant to accept a Government pension. He would accept if CD and Huxley believe it justified. Encloses details of Wallace’s efforts to obtain a position as naturalist and his claims for a pension.

Explains delay in printing proofs [of Movement in plants?].

Thanks RC for telling him about sale of 600 copies [of Movement in plants]. He had expected less, so loss will not be as heavy as he feared. Asks whether he should not have 250 more copies printed and what it would cost to have the type kept up.

Instructions for presentation copies.

The index is the worst ever published.

Believes the flexure in GM’s dead animals must result from the greater strength of the muscles on the left side. Thinks his son George once tested the strength of each leg of a group of boys, and CD could get his notes if wanted.

No summary available.

Response to CD’s notes [on Island life]:

1. On relation of paucity of fossils to coldness of water;

2. Cessation of the glacial period;

3. Rate of deposit and geological time;

4. The importance of preoccupation (by plants) in relation to plants arriving later.

Charge of speculative explanations is just.

Defends plausibility of migration of plants from mountain to mountain.

Thanks for information about Wallace. Is preparing memorial to be submitted to Government [seeking pension for Wallace].