Balfour writes that she is enclosing some pages of a pamphlet relating to the hybridisation of plants and the connections with animal cross-breeding (pamphlet not present). She also mentions hearing that 'Romulus (Ewart's first zebra hybrid foal) has been taken away from you under rather trying circumstances.'

Balfour writes that she is grateful that Ewart has got 'Romulus' (his first zebra hybrid) back from the King. She asks if Ewart would like her to talk to Lord Onslow about his remaining herd of mountain zebras. She hopes to examine the callosities on her own Highland ponies soon and asks about the results of his hare-rabbit cross-breeding experiments. She complains about the lack of funding for scientific research.