Thanks W. H. Fitch for drawing for the Primula paper. Death of experimental plants delays publication.

Has received the shipment of skeletons of fowls. Asks TCE species name of Gungla cock. Mentions other specimens.

Asks how many wild Chillingham cattle are killed each year. Interested in rate of increase.

Regrets the error in the bill and receipt. CD is surprised at so large a reduction in profit in the last edition.

Information is sought from correspondents regarding the mental powers of Polish and other tufted fowls. CD finds it hard to believe that the protuberance of the front part of the skull, which is accompanied by a change in the shape of the brain, would not produce a change in mental powers. References to Bechstein, Pallas, and Tegetmeier regarding the stupid behaviour of these birds.

CD is unable to locate his specimens of two Falkland Island birds [Opetiorhynchus].

Discusses results of his examination of fowls’ skeletons. Wants to quote TCE on variation in skeletons of allied species. Asks about skulls of birds with topknots.

CD is obliged for the offer, but he is "too much occupied to contribute to any periodicals".

Acknowledges receipt of promissory note for £372 from JM for third edition of Origin.

Thanks WBT for information on pigeons and poultry.

Discusses family and domestic matters.

Thanks TCE for telling him of his crossed pigs. When they are grown, he would like to know whether they resemble each other.

Doubts the half-bred Gallus sonnerati will be productive, though he was assured many years ago that such a fertile half-breed once occurred.

Thanks for information about natural increase of Chillingham cattle. Compares with case in Paraguay.

Asks D. Beaton whether varieties of the same species of Compositae frequently cross by insect agency or other means. Do the raisers of hollyhocks have to keep each variety separate for raising seed?

Asks TCE to confirm some general statements on resemblances in skeletons of birds of same genus.

Henslow’s long suffering.

Donald Beaton’s articles in Cottage Gardener clever but not to be trusted.

Thanks Mr Beaton for his answer [to 3147].

Asks further questions on points raised in Beaton’s previous papers: whether crossing white and blue varieties of Anemone apennina produced many pale shades; whether the Mathiola incana and M. glabra which crossed freely were artificially or naturally crossed.

CD is delighted by Beaton’s assertion that "not a flower in a thousand is fertilised by its own immediate pollen".

Recounts his experiments with Leschenaultia formosa to show insect fertilisation.

Describes results of his experiments with hollyhocks. Some varieties breed true even though growing near others. This suggests that their pollen is "pre-potent" over that of other varieties, which is not the case with most plants. Asks some questions on which he would be glad to have correspondent work. [See also 3170.]

Henslow’s death.

What a contrast C. C. Babington will be as Professor of Botany at Cambridge.

Beaton not to be trusted.

CD may switch from Athenæum to London Review & Wkly J. Polit.

Acknowledges receipt of £239 9s. 7d.