Summary

Encloses statement of U. S. sales of CD’s works to 1 Feb 1881 and sends cheque for balance due to CD.

Summary

Thanks SHV for his letter [13455] in answer to his questions about the action of ammonium carbonate on the root cells of Euphorbia peplus. Suggests further observations.

Has read J. Sachs [Textbook of botany, English translation (1875)] and H. A. De Bary [Vergleichende Anatomie (1877)] on milk-tubes. He believes that tubes he has observed in germinating roots of Euphorbia myrsinites are modified milk tubes. Will send a paper on the subject to the Linnean Society.

Summary

Comments on CGS’s The natural conditions of existence [1881] and on views of Moritz Wagner on geographical distribution.

Discusses cause of variability.

Summary

Describes variability in the stamens and pollen of Lagerstroemia, which CD spoke of in Forms of flowers.

Also reports on similar phenomena in Pontederiacea (Heteranthera reniformis).

Has received from Paul Mayer an interesting paper on metamorphosis in Palaemonetes varians, which is also being studied by J. E. V. Boas in Denmark. Shows differences between larval development in Danish forms and those found in southern Italy.

Summary

Thanks for Earthworms.

HdeV is studying the causes of variation in plants and is very interested in Pangenesis.

Summary

Thanks CD for his letter of 21 June [13212].

Is sending seeds of Oxalis sepium, which came from a cross between a plant with long pistils and another with pistils intermediate in length. Perhaps some of the plants that come from them will have short pistils.

FM does not know who told Dr B [Wilhelm Breitenbach] that he had lost a whole library in the flood. In fact, he lost only a few books that he had left behind thinking they were safe where they were.

Has taken the opportunity of a recent cold spell to test CD’s views on nyctitropism [night movements] in plants. Describes Pandanus and Oxalis sepium.

Has just received CD’s letter of 4 July and he is glad that his observations on the effects of rain on plants interested CD.

Summary

Comments on MS of JL’s [1881] BAAS Presidential Address. Suggests that more attention be given to parthenogenesis.

Summary

Communicates two cases of inheritance reported by J. P. Bishop [in 13137]. The work of E. Brown-Séquard has demonstrated that effects of injuries can be inherited ["Hereditary transmission of an epileptiform affection accidentally produced", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 10 (1860): 297–8]. E. Dupuy has sent CD a still more remarkable case.

Summary

Reports de Bary’s opinion of Max Cornu. Accounts of various botanical experiments and observations.

Summary

Earthworm book with printer.

Has sent FM’s observations on paraheliotropism to Nature ["Movement of leaves", Collected papers 2: 228–9].

Plants with differently coloured anthers.

Intends gathering together his notes on "bloom".

Summary

More observations of the radicles of germinating seeds of Euphorbia peplus for appearance of milk-tubes.

Comments on J. v. Wiesner’s and W. F. P. Pfeffer’s views and criticism of his experiments.

Summary

Gives an account of the Syracuse Botanical Club and its activities.

Summary

Encloses reply to Butler [Kosmos 8 (1881): 321–2]. Has also written a reply intended for English reader. Will have it translated for Popular Science Review if CD thinks suitable.

Report of Jäger accident was an error.

Kosmos has been purchased by Eduard Koch in Stuttgart and will continue as in the past.

Summary

Has heard from Haeckel the story of refusal [by Humboldt fund] of Berlin Academy to support him because he was supporter of Darwin. R. Virchow has been so unfair to Haeckel that THH is inclined to think it is a true account. But obtaining the funds in England is extremely difficult.

Summary

CD interested in JBI’s observations of behaviour of bees. Finds his criticism about hexagonal cells made by queen wasps a good one. Cannot remember how he got out of the difficulty.

His book on worms to be published soon.

E. A. Darwin has died after short illness.

Summary

Discusses concept of intelligence in his Earthworms manuscript.

Remarks on GJR’s work on echinoderms.

Comments on Wilhelm Roux [Der Kampf der Theile im Organismus (1881)].

Discusses animal instincts, citing Fabre’s description of sand-wasps.

Summary

Thanks for Movement in plants. Praises the terms CD introduces, but criticises CD’s use of the teleological word "purpose".

Outlines his efforts to study the inheritance of characters in his family. F. Galton overemphasises the inheritance of good qualities.

Summary

Arrived in Brazil three months ago. Studying insects and plants, but work suffers from lack of scientific literature.

Fritz Müller has written to him to observe relations between ants and plants.

Writing popular articles about evolution for German newspaper in Brazil.

Sends paper from Kosmos.

Expects to spend several years in Brazil.

Summary

EH’s scheme to visit Ceylon an excellent one. Has written to Huxley about getting money from Royal Society. If funds are unavailable, would like to subscribe £100.

Summary

Thanks CD for a second copy of Movement in plants. His letter acknowledging the first must have gone astray. Marvels at the number of interesting observations and is honoured by CD’s mention of his work.

In recent years GH has been applying CD’s principles to the histologico-anatomical structure of plant organs. He will send CD the papers.