Summary

Sends Mind. Henry Sidgwick’s article ["The theory of evolution in its application to practice", Mind 1 (1876): 52–67] is so clear it makes CD feel "a muddle-headed man". But he disagrees with Sidgwick on the origin of morality within tribes.

Summary

Discusses chemical tests for the detection of glucose and cane-sugar in solution.

Summary

Sends last chapter of Orchids [1877] for revision.

Has some articles that might interest FD.

Has invited Ferdinand Cohn and his wife to Down but hopes they will not come.

Summary

Provides CD with a method of obtaining a numerical ratio that expresses the superiority in heights of crossed plants to self-fertilised plants.

Summary

Sends a pamphlet for FD and Ruck, who did not turn up for breakfast.

Summary

Sends W. Thomson’s complimentary opinion of his paper "On the influence of geological changes on the earth’s axis" [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 167 (1877): 271–312].

Summary

Is sure mathematical discussion of elevation of continents will be valued by geologists.

Summary

Comments on the reaction of geologists to GHD’s work on elevation of continents.

Summary

All rejoice that J. C. Adams thinks well of GHD’s work and will present his paper to the Royal Society.

Gives news of his other sons.

Summary

PAH’s friend, a florist, is repeating CD’s experiments with Dionaea muscipula.

CD’s works stir interest in America.

Summary

Recommends that CD buy a plot of land.

Summary

Offers to contribute £10 towards ERL’s expenses in prosecuting Henry Slade, the spiritualistic imposter.

Summary

Thanks for a copy of the second edition of Strasburger’s Über Zellbildung und Zelltheilung (On cell formation and cell division; Strasburger 1876b).

Summary

JT will not quit the subject [of spontaneous generation] until light is let in on every cranny of the question.

Summary

Asks that the copy of Nature containing letter from Fritz Müller be forwarded to FM [see 10324].

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Supports AN’s idea [of a natural history book for children].

Summary

Sends signed enclosure.

FG will hear of germination of peas in a few days.

Summary

Thanks HB for obtaining a translation by a learned rabbi of [the Naphtali Lewy] letter – "a real curiosity". [See 10430.]

Summary

Sends some potato plants and tubers.

Summary

Thanks FD for the volumes of Revista Botanica [1874–5].