Summary

The case of the bees interests CD. He does not doubt that because of the size of their jaws humble-bees will be found all over the world to be the biters and hive-bees to profit from their work.

Thinks he has heard of land shells descending in the manner described by RS.

Summary

Pleased JSBS has decided to work on Drosera; sends plants. Does not know whether thermo-electric pile could detect temperature change when leaves close.

CD’s experiment with very weak hydrochloric acid repeated with success: the plants digest albumen more quickly.

Summary

Thanks for copy of HS’s Descriptive sociology [1873].

Summary

Requests litmus paper and gum.

Summary

A circular letter forwarding to subscribers a copy of Huxley’s letter of thanks [8873].

Summary

Has been working hard on Mimosa albida. Could JDH ever make its opposite leaflets shut up close, as in sleep, when he irritated them? CD doubts they do, except in sleep. Thinks movement a protection against water.

Has examined only one specimen of Eucalyptus.

Cannot believe JDH’s results from cutting a hole in pitcher in his Nepenthes experiment.

Summary

Discusses utility of plant secretions to ants.

Will read TB’s book when published [The naturalist in Nicaragua (1874)].

Summary

Thanks JC-B for volume of Asylum reports and paper on epilepsy. Seems clear from reports that physiology of brain will soon be largely understood.

Summary

Will do what he can to help JC-B with his work on expression of patients suffering from general paralysis.

Summary

Extremely glad to hear of the aggregation in Nepenthes glands. Advises on experimenting with cubes of albumen – gives sizes, also suggests cubes of roast meat. Thanks for analyses of secretion of Nepenthes.

Asks for cutting of Acacia farnesiana.

Longs to examine a species of Desmodium with three leaflets. Has asked Frank [Darwin] to look for species of Desmodium with tendrils.

Summary

Orders a copy of the St Paul’s Magazine for February.

Summary

CD refuses an interview because of a severe headache, but wishes all success to the Gardeners’ Chronicle.

Summary

Obliged for letter about horns of sheep.

Mentions case of death from objects impacted in appendix.

Is aware of his error about snipe breeding.

Summary

Seeks the assistance of a professional chemist in securing a qualitative analysis of the fluid secreted by the glands of Drosera which have the power of dissolving animal matter out of the bodies of insects. [See 8979.]

Summary

Comments on article ["Perception and instinct in lower animals", Nature 7 (1871): 377–8].

Explains his contention that "many of the most wonderful instincts have been acquired, independently of habit, through the preservation of useful variations of pre-existing instincts". Cites examples: sterile workers of several species of social insects have acquired different instincts; movements of tumbler pigeons. Speculates that "many instincts have originated from modification or variations in the brain".

Summary

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

Summary

Forwards photograph, sent by [J. L. G.] Krefft, of a chrysalis attached to its food-plant; the chrysalis has adjusted its colour remarkably.

Summary

Suggests experiment and observations to carry out on pitcher [of Nepenthes].

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

Thanks EWL for his book about hydropathy [Old medicine and new (1873)].