Summary

Thanks for letter relating to domesticated bullfinches’ instinctively cutting off cowslips [see 9430]. Suggests observing whether the birds swallow any part of flower or particular parts.

Summary

Finds the negative information sent by EF of great interest [see 9094].

More on his own experiments and the perplexing results when using the sensitive litmus paper.

Summary

Sends sodium carbonate for Drosera experiments. Will try to determine what the solvent is.

Summary

Requests litmus paper and gum.

Summary

Requests sewage water (and oleic acid) for experiments to determine sensitivity of leaves [of Drosera].

Summary

Sends some phosphates of lime free of animal matter [see Insectivorous plants, p. 109].

Summary

Agrees to delay sending the fluid [from the glands of Drosera] until early October. Will try suggestion about pepsin. [See 8981.]

Summary

Hearty thanks for the two bottles of pure water.

Summary

Variation in bullfinches’ instinctive ability to remove nectaries and ovaries from cowslips.

Summary

Thanks for the Blue Book [Report to the Local Government Board on the water supplied to London].

Gives instructions for sending the pure water.

Has sent for the Wenham ice.

Enjoyed his talk with EF.

Summary

Thanks EF for his offer of assistance. Could the viscid secretions [in glands of Drosera] contain pepsin? Will the sodium carbonate render the testing of organic matter difficult? [See 8979.] Will send the fluid in a fortnight.

Summary

Sends some litmus paper for CD.

Summary

Apologises for his ignorance in interpreting the results secured in his testing with blue litmus paper.

Summary

CD has just had an interview with Edward Frankland, who "almost laughs" at FD’s idea of getting potash and soda out of the soil by treating it with sulphuric acid. Asks FD to send him a soil sample to give to Frankland. Sends enclosures giving address and labels for soil samples.

Summary

Gratitude for the invaluable assistance. Is disappointed that natural soil is richer than burnt. Problem of securing sufficient chemically pure soil to test growth of plants.

Summary

Utricularia catch freshwater Crustaceans, which cannot be digested and rot in the bladders. CD is interested to identify any substance produced in the putrefaction before it is resolved into gases and salts of ammonia. He has reason to believe that the plant absorbs such products.

Summary

Is sending washings of 445 leaves in EF’s distilled water with 20 grains of carbonate of soda. Details of the difficulties and complications involved.

Summary

Requests chemical analysis of sample of both natural and burnt soil.

Summary

Thanks for the sewage water and the oleic acid. The former does not seem to act.

Summary

CD sends thanks for further instructions for making a solution, which will be followed as soon as Francis [Darwin] returns.