Summary

Thanks for letter relating to domesticated bullfinches’ instinctively cutting off cowslips [see 9430]. Suggests observing whether the birds swallow any part of flower or particular parts.

Summary

Requests sewage water (and oleic acid) for experiments to determine sensitivity of leaves [of Drosera].

Summary

Utricularia catch freshwater Crustaceans, which cannot be digested and rot in the bladders. CD is interested to identify any substance produced in the putrefaction before it is resolved into gases and salts of ammonia. He has reason to believe that the plant absorbs such products.

Summary

Thanks for the sewage water and the oleic acid. The former does not seem to act.

Summary

Variation in bullfinches’ instinctive ability to remove nectaries and ovaries from cowslips.

Summary

Gives details of the smallest micrococci distinctly discernible under a microscope.

Summary

Acknowledges the information about the phosphate and about putrefaction. Regrets that there is no knowledge of the conjectured substance. [See 9671.]

Summary

Thanks for the pure phosphate of lime.

Summary

Sends some phosphates of lime free of animal matter [see Insectivorous plants, p. 109].

Summary

Thanks Nature correspondents for their observations on destruction of primroses [Nature 9 (1874): 509; 10 (1874): 6–7]. Reports an error in his observations: ovules, as well as nectar, are taken by the birds. As the habit of cutting off primrose flowers is widespread, CD concludes it is instinctive in bullfinches.

Summary

Thanks her for specimen of Drosera. Asks for an epiphytic Utricularia.

Summary

CD has just had an interview with Edward Frankland, who "almost laughs" at FD’s idea of getting potash and soda out of the soil by treating it with sulphuric acid. Asks FD to send him a soil sample to give to Frankland. Sends enclosures giving address and labels for soil samples.

Summary

Requests permission to call upon EF any morning from Saturday through Tuesday.

Summary

Sends information CD requested on phosphate of ammonia and on nitrogenous substances produced during putrefaction of animal matter.

Summary

Reports the balloting [for Henry Parker at the Athenaeum?] went off just right.

Summary

Finding that the leaves of Drosera digest all the phosphate of lime out of bones and then remain clasped over the bones for a long time, CD wants to determine whether it is the phosphate of lime or the animal matter in the bones that keeps them clasped. He asks EF to send 2 or 3 grams of pure phosphate of lime for his testing. [See 9411.] Will experiment in the summer using EF’s suggestion that leaves might serve to test weak sewage. Results of Sanderson’s experiments with acids of great use.

Summary

Requests permission to call briefly to discuss Drosera.

Summary

Purpose of experiments was to determine digestive activity of liquids containing pepsin. Gives required amounts of hydrochloric, propionic, butyric and valerianic acids. Describes experiment and gives results. Also experimented on digestive activity of butyric acid at greater temperatures than the termperature of the body.

Summary

Thanks for information about Hedychium. Hopes wings of Sphinx will be found covered with pollen for that will be a fine bit of prophecy from the structure of a flower to special and new means of fertilisation.

Has been at Descent so hard he has done nothing, not even H. Spencer’s answer.

Has not yet read Croll ["Ocean currents", London Edinburgh & Dublin Philos. Mag. 47 (1874): 94–122, 168–90].

Has heard nothing about Carter and Eozoon. Eozoon, he infers, is done for.

Has read Belt [The naturalist in Nicaragua (1874)]: best of all natural history travel books.

Has written to Fritz Müller about leaf-carrying ants.

Hopes to resume work on Drosera.

Summary

Discusses the powers of digestion of Drosera and why certain substances produce less excitement in the plant than others.