Summary

Sends a cheque to pay off FD’s debts. Warns him of the dangers of overspending his income and advises him strongly to keep accounts.

Summary

Thanks CD for the cheque. Gives account of money owed for tutoring and tennis.

Summary

Sends list of bills.

Summary

Has no chance of paying his debts, and asks for money.

Summary

Expressions in attitudes of prayer and adoration.

Summary

Summary

Responds to Mivart’s Genesis of species. "I complain of his incessently speaking as if I trusted exclusively to natural selection … Mivart speaks in many places as if I entirely ignored the direct action of external conditions". Answers some of Mivart’s particular criticisms. Suggests FD read the letter to Marlborough Robert Pryor, as Pryor will never be able to read it himself.

Summary

Says Descent is "selling like Mad.––" Murray will print another 1500 or 2000 copies. Has received £630 for the 2500.

On Monday he visited Mivart, who is a charming man.

He seemed to be taken aback by CD’s points about the larynx and giraffe.

[See 7507 and 7519.]

He seemed to have forgotten CD’s argument regarding the formation of the greyhound.

Discussed the larynx and the silence of the Cetaceans.

If FD mentions any of this to [Marlborough Robert] Pryor, ask him not to mention it to anyone else "as it is perhaps rather a breach of confidence to repeat even to friends private conversation."

Summary

Very glad about profits of book. Glad CD flummoxed Mivart.

Summary

If FD gets the chance, will he observe whether the platysma contracts in a shivering fit? Wants much to know whether the platysma of frightened patients contracts before chloroform is given.

Summary

Sends to Pantlludw [North Wales] bottle of formic acid. FD and Amy [Darwin] can search for spawn. If found, keep in two basins and add 6 drops of acid to one and look for differences.

Summary

"Try only 1 or 2 drops of Formic A[cid]."

Summary

Fears all the seeds are dead. Will try with less vapour of formic acid.

Summary

He is travelling overnight by train from London to Pantlludw and will wake A. R. Ruck with a morningade on his flute.

Summary

Has found Lathyrus maritima on the cliffs near Barmouth.

Summary

Gives his opinion on why tubes of peas split to the right of the loose stamens [inLathyrus sylvestris].

Summary

Observations on bees’ biting holes in Lathyrus.

Suggests an experiment FD could carry out with Drosera.

CD is working on Mimosa, and "everything has turned out as perversely as possible".

Summary

Pollination and floral structure of Lathyrus. Asks where bees bite through the flowers.

Summary

Regrets that "our brush theory" is wrong.

Summary

Asks FD to bring any book that gives the affinities of the various earths, alkalis and metals.