CD thanks correspondent for her "very elegant work" – a book on nature.

Sends address of A. R. Wallace. Comments on Wallace’s pension.

Describes difficulty of obtaining pigs for experiment.

Has read with interest GJR’s review [of Samuel Butler, Unconscious memory (1880)] in Nature [23 (1880–1): 285–7]. Heroic of GJR to call down [Butler’s] revenge on his own head. Ernst Krause’s letter [Nature 23 (1880–1): 288] very good.

As magistrate, CD must enforce rules regarding infection in pigs.

Thanks GJR for his second letter replying to Butler [Nature 23 (1880–1): 335–6].

Thanks him for his letter in Nature [23 (1880–1): 336, concerning Samuel Butler’s Unconscious Memory]. Explains how revision in Krause’s part [of Erasmus Darwin] and the subsequent misunderstanding came about.

Comments on the meaning of his definition of the term, "animal intelligence". Encloses further discussion from his forthcoming book [Earthworms].

Comments on GJR’s view of animal consciousness. Mentions experiment on learning among worms.

Discusses difficulties involved in plant experiment designed to test Pangenesis.

Discusses concept of intelligence in his Earthworms manuscript.

Remarks on GJR’s work on echinoderms.

Comments on Wilhelm Roux [Der Kampf der Theile im Organismus (1881)].

Discusses animal instincts, citing Fabre’s description of sand-wasps.

Discusses GJR’s experiments on heliotropism in plants; views of Philippe van Tieghem and Julius von Wiesner. Describes his own experiments.

Mentions his letter on vivisection [to Frithiof Holmgren, see 13115] in the Times [18 Apr 1881].

Comments on GJR’s letter in the Times [25 Apr 1881] concerning vivisection. Mentions activity of anti-vivisectionists, G. R. Jesse and F. P. Cobbe.

Discusses his investments.

Thanks correspondent for sending paper on molluscs.

Suggests modification in JBH’s experiment on formation of diamonds.

Speculates about chemical products of constituents of living organisms when subjected to heat and pressure.

Discusses possible case of inherited memory involving Pompilus. Cites similar example of electric eel.

Congratulates him on Mastodon discovery.

Thanks EH and Ernst Abbe in connection with microscope for his son [Francis].

CD is glad the portrait [of CD by John Collier] has been arranged; suggests dates, but feels he should have no say in the subscriptions or remuneration.

Thinks the Lakes are beautiful.

Is reading W. Graham’s The creed of science.

Is returning to Down.

Rejoices that GJR writes so much in Nature.