Summary

Astonished and disgusted at Klein’s evidence. No doubt there will be severe and vicious legislation against physiology. Will give evidence before Commission.

Summary

Arrangements for CD’s appearance before Vivisection Commission.

Summary

Has heard that FG will write on inheritance. Huxley does not believe in E. G. Balbiani’s views on subject.

Summary

Outlines a memoir he will give at the Anthropological Society in which he differs theoretically with Pangenesis.

Summary

Mentions his appearance before Vivisection Commission.

Discusses his plans for planting and observing the carrots sent by GJR.

Mentions views of J. S. Burdon Sanderson on graft-hybrids.

Comments on GJR’s paper ["Instinct and acquisition", Nature 12 (1875): 553–4].

[Letter incorrectly dated "Thursday 8th" by CD.] [!? shd be note not synopsis]

Summary

Carrots have arrived; CD has potted them.

Summary

In London yesterday for Vivisection Commission.

Is revising his chapter on Pangenesis [in Variation, 2d ed.] to allow that gemmules probably multiply in the reproductive organs.

Notes examples of inheritance of acquired characteristics cited by Brown-Séquard.

Doubts that double parentage is necessary for complex organisations.

Summary

Sends a proof of his "Theory of heredity" from the Contemporary Review [27 (1875): 80–95; revised in J. Anthropol. Inst. 5 (1876): 329–48]. Welcomes CD’s help and criticism.

Summary

Composition of "Droserin" [see 10015].

Summary

Comments on FG’s paper ["A theory of heredity"]. Finds essay difficult to understand. Objects that FG’s theory conflicts with phenomenon of use and disuse. Conflicts also with rarity of bud-variations in nature.

Says he has ordered FG’s article ["The history of twins", Fraser’s Mag. 92 (1875): 566–76; revised in J. Anthropol. Inst. 5 (1876): 391–406].

Summary

Thanks CD for Climbing plants and Insectivorous plants.

Discusses his research on phylogeny. Results described in "Die Gastrula und die Eifurchung der Tiere" [Jena. Z. Naturw. 9 (1875): 402–508].

Describes newly discovered coral.

Summary

Thanks for Climbing plants [2d ed.].

Is reading proofs [of Geographical distribution (1876)].

Summary

Thanks for 2d edition of Climbing plants and for CD’s recognition of HdeV’s two essays on the subject [Climbing plants, pp. v–vi, 9 n., 22, 160]. Cause of spiral growth of tendrils.

Summary

Sends successful graft-hybrid of red and white carrot.

CD should correct passage in Variation explaining deformation of sternum in fowls [Variation, 2d ed., 1: 287–8].

Chapter in Variation on Pangenesis is admirable.

Summary

Responds to suggestions and criticisms CD made to "theory of heredity" [see 10245].

Summary

CD sends a draft bill which he helped to prepare relating to experiments on live animals; the Commissioners may wish to see it.

Summary

Climbing plants has sold better than he expected.

Thinks another 1000 of Origin may have to be printed; he has no corrections to make.

Summary

Discusses his ambitions.

Writes of rats that gnaw through lead pipes to find water.

Summary

Does not doubt animals reason in a practical fashion. Do not the rats hear the water trickling?

Summary

Comments on FG’s paper ["The history of twins"].

CD is "in a passion with the Spectator who always muddles".