Thanks for copy of Origin with its flattering inscription.

Hopes some day to have leisure to do original research.

CD and other friends who got up fund for GA in 1879 have now bought him a microscope; thanks CD, especially as the idea came from him; plans to take up original observations with it.

Explains that it was his son, Grant, who sent JAA’s article defending Darwinian origins of morality.

Comments on CD’s Canadian admirers

and asks whether Grant may visit CD at Down.

Discusses inability to vote for the University as he and his brother have taken their names off the Boards; he has votes for Palmerston only.

Encloses draft bill about vivisection; CD and friends may have influence enough to get it introduced in Commons or Lords; TA and the Cruelty Society do not. The Society, however, can pay for preparation of bill.

Encloses extract which suggests that CD and friends oppose any restriction on vivisection; asks CD to state his principles. Another bill is being sketched for Cruelty Society.

Learned of CD’s interest in new facts bearing on origins of specific forms and sends proof sheets of his Monograph on tubularian hydroids [1871–2] stating his views on the descent of existing hydroids from ancient graptolites.

Thanks for sending translation of A. W. Malm’s paper ["On flatfishes", K. Svensk. Vetensk. Akad. Handl. N. F. 7 (1867–8) no. 4]; thinks it establishes that eye migrates across surface of head rather than through the skull.

Considers the relationship between direction of locomotion and the presence of stalked eyes in Crustacea.

On Royal Society Council’s deliberations on awards. GJA argues that older men should be given first claim lest they die neglected; CD had stressed importance of encouraging younger men.

Discusses appointment of new trustees for JSH’s chantry lands. List of current trustees enclosed with known deaths noted.

In his admirable work on expression CD has left out influence of fifth pair of cerebral nerves on the portiodura and on physiognomy; sends reference to his paper on this subject ["On certain points in the physiology and pathology of the fifth pair of cerebral nerves", Med.-Chir. Trans. 52 (1869): 27–42].

Asks for autographs.

Reminds CD of three cards JLA sent in February for CD to sign and date and write his good wishes on.

CD elected Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. [See 9305.]

Thanks for "Two forms of Primula" [Collected papers 2: 45–63].

Praise for Orchids.

Has done extensive plant hybridisation: strawberry, raspberry, Rhododendron.

Thanks for CD’s experimental suggestions. Will count seeds of hybrid crosses.

Requests suggestions for Edinburgh Botanical Society expedition to British Columbia.

On holiday; cannot answer CD’s questions.

Has done Primula polyanthus experiment CD suggested.

Bryanthus erectus, said by [D. D.?] Cunningham to be a hybrid, has been found wild in North America.