Summary

Encloses a statement and circular he has been asked to send to JL.

Summary

Thanks to CD’s help Zoological Station has passed a crisis and is now flourishing.

Is writing pamphlet on "the origin of vertebrates and the principle of succession of functions" [see 9991 and 10003]. It is likely CD will not be pleased with it, but he thinks he must now, after seven years, bring it out. Seeks to open the way for a new series of theoretical questions.

Summary

Lady Lyell’s death.

Sends names of donors of gift to THH.

The Edinburgh Review has a critical article against CD, THH, Tyndall, and H. Spencer [see 8935]. Thinks Forbes reference not worth answering.

Summary

The Royal Society have returned RLT’s Nepenthes paper and will not have it read because of unfavourable reports from referees.

Summary

Will subscribe £25 towards F. A. Dohrn’s Zoological Station at Naples.

Summary

Has been invited to lecture at the Royal Institution by Spottiswoode. Discusses subjects he might deal with and his reasons for attempting it.

Tells of a complicated case of a double sale of a living.

Huxley says F. M. Balfour passed brilliantly.

Summary

The Huxley fund amounts to £1955. CD trembles about THH’s answer.

Summary

Has received circulars, and contributions from Lyell and George Busk [for Naples biological station].

Summary

[Sir Joseph?] Whitworth’s contribution brings total to over £2000. Wishes CD could be persuaded to come to lunch with Huxley and Emerson.

Summary

CD sends the gist of an extremely negative report from the [Royal Society’s] physiological referee on the value of RLT’s modifications of Brücke’s process for isolating pepsin [see 10470].

Summary

Frank’s reasons for not accepting the Cambridge Examinership.

Summary

JDH has heard from Asa Gray, who approves of the botany primer [Botany (1876)].

Summary

CD has helped leading physiologists to prepare a draft bill for legislation with regard to vivisection, and he hopes Lord Derby will support the bill and mention it to ministers of the Cabinet. Has heard that other groups are preparing bills for the same purpose, and feels it important that the science of physiology be protected as well as animals.

Summary

Wants to use CD’s support to put pressure on Michael Foster to enable Huxley to take an immediate holiday.

Summary

Proofs have come. It will be jolly coming down to Southampton.

Summary

CD and others now think it advisable to go further than a petition on vivisection, and a bill has been drafted.

F. Delpino’s pamphlet on pitchers ["Sulle pianti a bicchieri", Nuovo G. Bot. Ital. 3 (1871): 174–6].

Summary

His note on brain [in man and apes for 2d ed. of Descent] nearly finished.

Has heard nothing about Dohrn.

THH has been invited to lecture in America.

Summary

Michael Foster approves of names FMB suggested CD apply to [in proposing FMB to the Royal Society] and adds George Allman, Foster, W. H. Flower, and P. M. Duncan, the only biologists on the Council.

Summary

On Wallace’s pension and Frank’s F.R.S.

Summary

The Acacia must be Belt’s "Bulls’ horns".

The complexity of Utricularia has driven Frank and CD almost mad. Suspects it is necrophagous, i.e., it cannot digest, but absorbs decaying animal matter.

Foster is certainly in error. Every insect that Drosera catches causes aggregation.