My dear William

Your letter & facts are quite splendid.—² I cannot conceive how you could have observed so much without aid.—

The depth of mould at different parts of slope & base is a most valuable observation.— The little step or slope round the great fallen stones very curious;— I suppose the worms work under the stones, & come up at nearest point, viz close outside.— There are many points which I want to discuss & get explained. Shall you be coming to Down within a month or so? We cannot reconcile the large & capital diagram with the 2^d page of your letter: I imagine they refer to different parts.³ Again I am curious to know whether in the middle part of slope in diagram, whether the inclination is greater, for the furrows for a space are decidedly deeper than above or below.— I have made pencil notes on your letter,⁴ so that I shall not forget what to