Summary

Discusses earthworms and their ability to perceive narrowest points of leaves to draw them into their burrows.

Summary

Comte [de Paris] will have plants next summer.

Arruda Furtado will send his mountain plants from Azores.

Summary

Passage in first edition of Origin, [p. 184] on bears rendered larger and more aquatic by selection was omitted from subsequent editions on advice of Richard Owen. Has always regretted following that advice.

Summary

Is obliged to GHD for arranging everything.

Sorry about the proof-sheets.

Summary

Further comments on JW’s Das Bewegungsvermögen der Pflanzen [1881]. Discusses heliotropism and sensitivity of root tips. Bewildered by their differences concerning circumnutation.

Summary

Urges Frank to reconsider his refusal of Cambridge Examinership.

Summary

Glad WB has arrived in Brazil. Suggests study of insects and study of fertilisation in Melastomataceae. Want of books is not a serious evil.

Summary

WG is a candidate for a new chair at University College, Liverpool. Asks CD’s permission to use extracts from his letter [13230] for a testimonial.

Summary

Summarises the "remarkable facts about the movements of plants" in Fritz Müller’s letter of January [12996]. CD comments that Müller’s observations support the conclusion that he and Francis Darwin arrived at – that leaves go to sleep to escape the full effects of radiation.

Summary

Responds, with some embarrassment, to JDH’s caution on Frank’s F.R.S. prospects.

Summary

Thanks for agreeing to propose Frank as F.R.S.

Would have enjoyed discussing Island life.

Summary

News from the laboratory at Strasbourg; is working on Equisetum roots. Wortmann has found circumnutation in the mycelium of a fast-growing fungus. Please send papers (see 13155).

Summary

Apologises for his silence when Francis Darwin’s paper was read at the Linnean Society.

AG’s review of Movement in plants [Nation 32 (1881): 17–18].

Summary

Mentions article by P. E. Müller on worms: "Structur over skovjord [forest soil]" [Tidsk. Skovbrug 3 (1878)].

Summary

Draft letter for Francis Darwin to write to JCC thanking him for the soil specimen.

Summary

Division of CW’s share [of E. A. Darwin’s estate]. Investment advice.

Recounts his memories of their mother and of her death. Remembers "her black velvet gown and her work table and the death scene", but cannot remember her face. Remembers that Caroline "always acted like a mother" to him and Catherine.

Summary

Concurs in CD’s criticism of Thomas Meehan [see 13360].

Summary

On the proprieties of thanking Gladstone and the signers of the memorial.

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.