My dear Sophy.

Will you be so kind in any of your walks as to observe whether there ⁠⟨⁠      ⁠⟩⁠ any or many worm castings in the midst of Heath. It would be best to look where any grass-covered path crosses Heath, for if there are castings on the grass-covered paths or road & not amongst the Heath, it would show that heath is somehow unfavourable for worms. I ask, because I find a memorandum in my notes, that “there does not appear to be any worms amongst the Heath on Hayes common”.—² If Lucy is with you, I know that she would readily look from her well-known affection for worms—³ I am also becoming deeply attached to worms.— Can Lucy remember what sort of lantern she used when she looked at the worms. We find that the light frightens them.⁴

Give my best love to your Mother; I do hope that she is better⁵ | Yours affectionately | C. Darwin