Summary

Comments on CD’s criticism of Geographical distribution.

Plans to sell his house.

Summary

Responds to CD’s new work [Cross and self-fertilisation]. Suggests results might have been more convincing if CD had measured weights instead of heights. The fact that infertile hybrids have not been produced means that the "one great objection" has not been got rid of: the physiological characteristic of species. Suggests an experiment to produce "sterile mongrels" which would remove objection.

Summary

Responds to CD’s comments and criticism of Geographical distribution.

Summary

FD’s corrections for Orchids [1877] are all very good and useful.

Summary

Asks for reference to an article on a mandrill.

Summary

Has seen notice on Empetrum but cannot understand how leaves in bud could act as fly-catchers.

Summary

Comments on FD’s discovery – "if it so proves". It will be important to see whether the protoplasm oozes through the cell-walls [of Dipsacus] or whether it can be withdrawn.

Summary

Sends [unidentified] volume for FD.

Ferdinand Cohn is coming to Down.

Summary

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

Summary

Sorry the corrections were so tedious, and offers to do revises.

Summary

Has read letter from Jemmy. Amy has been practicing on the printing machine. Fritz has come back from the Vicar of Orpington.

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Has examined sections of teasel in putrid meat infusion and ammonia.

Summary

Informs LD of the death of Francis Darwin’s wife, Amy.

Summary

Asks for details of dimorphism in Sethia from Thwaites, Enumeratio plantarum Zeylaniae [1864]. [See Forms of flowers, p. 122.]

Summary

Looks to FD’s "grand discovery" as almost certain. Suggests observations.

Summary

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

CD’s works stir interest in America.

Summary

Good news about Frankland. Expecting burnt earth. Almost finished the Foodbodies Paper on Acacia. He and Amy are learning to use the new printing machine.

Summary

The Salvia has arrived.

Has found several fly orchids coming in flower, but no Cephalanthera or Musk.

Cannot do any teazel work.

Anthelme Thozet has sent him a lot of Ophideres.

Summary

Has got a dodge to see protoplasm in Drosera in dead state. Comes to Hopedene with Amy tomorrow. his paper went off well.

Summary

Asks FD to write on his behalf and say that he is unwilling to join a deputation [on vivisection] and that he believes in the need to protect physiology as well as lower animals.