Summary

Asks whether vegetable mould has an acid reaction. The contents of intestines of earthworms and castings are acid, which leads him to inquire about mould.

Summary

Asks THF to obtain sample of chalk immediately below vegetable mould at Abinger.

Summary

Thanks JVC for his corrections of "stupid errata" [in Earthworms]. Explains, in answer to JVC’s query, that he has used the word "humus" as the equivalent of vegetable mould.

Summary

Is sending chapter [of Earthworms] for FD to look over.

Comments on FD’s work on movements of mould.

Is glad to hear about Julius von Sachs and the circumnutation theory.

Summary

Returns the two books JHG had lent him. "I can plainly see I had better say nothing about the acidity of common mould."

Summary

"The number of worms in your garden is astonishing … it will be an interesting observation, how soon the land is again stocked with worms, & whether the grass grows better before this happens. – I neglected to observe whether worms distruct [disturb?] the roots of grasses. – You will probably be able to borrow … my book On the Formation of Vegetable Mould … in which … you will find a good deal about the natural history of worms."

Summary

"Roots often run down worm burrows, but can penetrate the ground without such aid."

Summary

Would like to cite the case of the celt in a new printing of Earthworms. Asks for details.

Summary

Draft letter for Francis Darwin to write to JCC thanking him for the soil specimen.

Summary

Has taken almost all FD’s corrections for chapter six [of Earthworms]. Is glad FD approves of the book.

Summary

Thanks JVC for corrections of Movement in plants. Sends a clarifying sentence.

Earthworms nearly done – "a small book of little moment".

Reports his health is better than it was, "but I have little strength & feel very old".

Summary

CD thinks the celts [prehistoric tools] on the pan could not have been buried wholly by worms.

As for large size of Arctic mammals, CD suggests it is an advantage in retaining warmth.

Summary

Ernst Krause wishes to publish a section of Earthworms in Kosmos. CD has consented. Hopes JVC will not object. He feels under obligation to Krause.

Summary

Andrew Clark finds that CD’s heart is perfectly right.

Summary

Discusses acidity of earthworm castings. JHG’s reply will make him more cautious.

Would like to see W. A. Detmer’s paper [Landwirtsch. Versuchs-Stat. 14 (1871): 248–300] and S. W. Johnson’s work [How crops feed].

Comments on food value of white and brown bread.

Summary

Writes of WED’s certificate for the Geological Society

and discusses various instances of earthworm activity.

Summary

Discusses earthworm activity

and animal grazing on slopes.

Summary

Statement about a beetle-hunting worm is new to CD.

Summary

Thanks EK for his article [on CD’s Movement in plants].

Admires EK’s wide interest in science. Would like to send him something to publish in Kosmos.

Fears his new book [Earthworms] will hardly do, but will send sheets when printed so that EK can decide whether any chapter or a part of one will serve. Victor Carus’s consent would be needed for publication in Kosmos, and CD will ask for it.

Summary

Glad book [Earthworms] will soon be published.

G. J. Romanes has copy and often writes reviews for Nature. Probably did not know it was incorrect to publish it prematurely.