Plants found on his way back from Dundee last week. Specimen of Carabus enclosed in brown paper [Carabus nitens]. Asks advice about Willie, whose reports are not good. Owing to ill health and delicacy of constitution he is really 2-3 years younger than other lads his age. Could Meldola ask Professor Thompson whether Willie would be permitted to repeat the year, if he fails the exam?.

Thanks for informing him that Willie will be admitted to the intermediate course. "I fear he has not much "go" in him, but I was much the same at his age, and it took me a long time to understand many things." More about Willie's reports and lectures. Is preparing new edition of Natural Selection and Tropical Nature plus changes to Malay Archipelago. Visit to Portland with Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. Mentions a Mr. Holmes.

Reasons why he hasn't seen so much of Meldola lately. Usually stays with his sister in West Brompton.