Asking the lord mayor of London to call a public meeting concerning the persecution of the Jews in Russia.

Thanks JM for copy of Quarterly Review, with article on his worm book [Henry Wace, "Darwin on earthworms", Q. Rev. 153 (1882): 179–202].

Writer will change his mind on evolution. CD cannot think of any young worker in biology who is not convinced of the truth of evolution, though many believe that natural selection has not done much.

Accepts election as a corresponding member of the American Social Science Association [see 13615].

Thanks EH for gift of 2d ed. of his book of travels [Seven years in South Africa (1881)]. Expresses admiration for EH’s courage and zeal for science.

Discusses present of microscope to Grant Allen.

Mentions sugar-cane paper [by Baron de Villa Franca].

Agrees about Grant Allen affair.

Dismisses report of cat–rabbit hybrid.

Agrees to write a page or two on behalf of Donald MacAlister.

His thoughts on the lack of horns in domesticated cattle.

Is glad to hear that Hermann Müller approves of D’AWT’s translation of his work [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)]; he hopes a publisher may be found for a work of such high value.

Regrets he can add no more to his preface for Weismann’s Studies. Offers donation to aid with publishing expenses.

Thinks RM’s preface is excellent.

Testifies to F. W. Surman’s good character and honesty.

Discusses plate for use in article ["Action of carbonate of ammonia on chlorophyll-bodies", Journal of the Linnean Society of London (Botany) 19: 239–61].

Thanks EH for book on ornithology of South Africa and for his essays [Beiträge zur Ornithologie Südafrikas von Aug. von Holub und E. Pelzeln (1882)].

Will be pleased to see him when he comes to England.

Exchanges news on health.

Thanks AR for his worm observations.

George Darwin’s work is attracting attention; he intends to try for Plumian Professorship at Cambridge. Adds other news of George and of CD’s sons Leonard and William.

CD has finished his microscopic work and has only to write up two papers for the Linnean Society.

CD will put together his notes on the action of carbonate of ammonia on roots in a few days. Asks SHV to send any information he may have, but not to answer if he has none. [See 13666.]

Agrees to propose RM for the Royal Society.

Thanks for offer of sandstone with annelid tracks.

Suggests J. W. Judd, "most able of living geologists", as lecturer.

Asks EF to sign enclosed certificate if he thinks Raphael Meldola deserves being elected F.R.S. [See 13674.] Requests that his note with certificate be passed on to Norman Lockyer.

Does not feel that the occurrence of perfect trilobites in the oldest known fossil-bearing rocks is fatal to evolution, as he does not believe these rocks to be contemporaneous with the first appearance of life.

Locomotive spores of some algae are like animals.