Thanks Fd’AF for his interesting letter. CD suggests observations it would be worth making [in the Azores] although he is too old to make any direct use of them. Fauna and flora of different islands should be compared and the plants and animals from all high mountain summits collected. Suggests Fd’AF investigate the presence of glacial deposits and fossils on the islands. Survival of eggs in salt-water should be tested, as the wide distribution of lizards, land molluscs, and earthworms is a perplexing problem.

Will be very glad to read the essays Fd’AF sent.

Sends a copy of A. R. Wallace’s work [The geographical distribution of animals (1876)].

Advises Fd’AF on how to carry out his work, "Keep notes & go on accumulating facts". CD will write to J. D. Hooker about the plants Fd’AF has collected.

Hooker would be very glad to see the mountain plants Fd’AF has collected.

Hooker says huge cypress trunks have been found buried in the ground [in the Azores]; the site needs to be described and investigated. CD suggests collecting earth from same bed to see whether any seeds have remained viable.

Thanks CD for sending Wallace’s book [see 13313]

and for writing to Hooker about FdeAF’s plants. Has written to Hooker to tell him of the plants he is sending and discuss the subject of the cypress trunks.

Thanks CD for his detailed instructions for suggested experiments.

Reports having found orthopteran egg-cases, affixed to a chalk statuette, that had themselves been coated with chalk, without doubt by the insect that deposited them.

Is glad Fd’AF will find Wallace’s work useful [see 13313].

Has examined the egg-cases of Blatta and suspects the white matter may be cement or plaster. If Fd’AF observes similar cases the fact would be worth publishing as a good instance of skill in protection.