Summary

Had found out his error [use of "cleistogenous" for "cleistogamous" in Cross and self-fertilisation] some timeago.

Is now writing on cleistogamic flowers [for Forms of flowers (1877)], and, with it, will have worked up all his old materials on plants. JVC will then have a rest from his labours of translation.

Summary

Cites a misprint in Orchids.

Asks how long Forms of flowers will be, and publication date.

Summary

Arrangements for meeting in London.

Glad CD has heard about Dohrn’s affairs.

Summary

Will call on CD next year, when he will have worked out the embryology of Amphioxus; he believes it is not primitive but a degenerate form of fish. He believes the true ancestors of vertebrates are annelids.

Summary

Forms of flowers will soon be published and is not a long book.

Does not suppose he will publish any more books, "though perhaps a few more papers". He "cannot endure being idle, but Heaven knows whether I am capable of any more good work".

Erratum JVC sent was due to a printer’s error after he had seen last proofs.

Summary

Thanks AD and the naturalists at the Station for their birthday congratulations.

CD has been awarded the Bressa prize of the Accademia delle Scienze in Turin, and it occurs to him that if the Station wanted some apparatus costing about £100, he would like to pay for it.

Summary

Thanks for news about Wallace memorial; excellent names on it give hope of success.

Mentions Alfred Haddon, an acquaintance of hers who might call on CD.

Summary

Approves of proof [of subscription appeal for Dohrn’s Naples station]. Suggests names.

Summary

Asks JM to send copies of all his books to Anton Dohrn.

Koch [of Schweizerbart] requires 3000 sets of copies of the heliotype plates [for German edition of Expression].

Summary

Encloses a statement and circular he has been asked to send to JL.

Summary

Thanks CD for his cheque for £100. Has told Secretary of BAAS Committee [for the Station], so that he may report it. [See O. J. R. Howarth, The British Association (1931), pp. 196–7.]

Summary

Strongly supports the proposed biological laboratory at Villefranche.

Summary

Has received circulars, and contributions from Lyell and George Busk [for Naples biological station].

Summary

Sorry to hear of Dohrn’s troubles. Has written to prospective donors saying that nothing can be done because of attitude of Dohrn’s father.

New [2d] edition of Descent is an awful job.

Diet no longer doing much for his health.

Summary

AD is sorry CD thinks publication of Descent a mistake. The excitement shows it was necessary for someone to speak plainly.

His great difficulties (Italian indolence, dishonesty, hatred) in establishing zoological station. Can at last start construction.

Summary

Comments on CL’s planned bequest to science. CD would do the same if he had fewer sons.

Summary

Is amazed at Expression. Like CD’s former works, it contains the material and principles of a new science.

The Zoological Station is making good progress – now has a fine building. Hopes for a stable income from contributions of various governments.

Summary

Describes studies with Ernst Haeckel

and research on psychology of lower animals.

Sends book [Der thierische Wille (1880)] and describes his views on the subject.

Summary

Asks for THH’s description of brain and skull [of man and apes] for 2d ed. of Descent [supplement to ch. 7].

Asks about Dohrn affair and contributions for Naples station. Doubts subscriptions will be successful.