Summary

In answer to CD’s query, FM thinks the seeds he sent were those of the sensitive Mimosa.

Reports his observations of movement of leaves of Bauhinia grandiflora and B. brasiliensis. They do not "sleep" in hot weather.

Sends some seeds of Pontederia he had fertilised.

Summary

Thanks CD for letter for Villa Franca. Would be happy if CD published the Baron’s observations in an English scientific journal.

Summary

Reports the inconclusive results of some experiments he has been doing for CD [related to plant colouring material?].

Summary

Has sold London & South Western Railway stock and has purchased Great Western stock.

Summary

Has read Earthworms; discusses parts and encloses a list of errata. Writes of worm-castings, describing his observations; speculates on the variation in their distribution under different conditions.

Summary

Praises G. H. Darwin’s letter ["On the geological importance of the tides", Nature 25 (1882): 213–14] which criticises the use made of George Darwin’s views by Robert Ball ["A glimpse through the corridors of time", Nature 25 (1881): 79–82, 103–7]. JWJ argues from the fineness of Cambrian sediments against Ball’s intensification of geological forces. Massive Carboniferous river deltas also contradict Ball’s excessively high tides.

Summary

Thanks CD for Earthworms.

Discusses the problem of accounting for difference between nitrogen in permanent grassland and ordinary arable soil. Finds castings of earthworms rich in nitrogen. Asks CD if his observations enable him to explain the source. If from below top-soil, it would be a considerable manuring.

Summary

Sends his paper on the comparative anatomy of the assimilatory tissue systems of plants [Jahrb. Wiss. Bot. 13 (1882): 74–188]. This work has made clear to him how CD’s principles produce rich results when applied to plant anatomy.

Also sends a paper on the difficult problem of the gulf between cryptogamic and phanerogamic plants in the evolutionary development, in order to present another proof of the continuity of the phylogenetic development of the plant kingdom.

Summary

Wishes to borrow Weismann’s pamphlet on the Daphnidae [ "Ueber die Schmuckfarben der Daphnoiden", Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Zoologie 30 (Supp.)]. Is preparing an essay on "alternation of generations".

Summary

B. D. Jackson’s plan for new Steudel Nomenclator approved. JDH asks for CD’s cheque.

Summary

Discusses a lectureship at Aberdeen

and a recent visit to Down.

Summary

Sends CD some of the [American Social Science] Association’s publications; asks if they may enrol him as a corresponding member. They have printed CD’s letter to Mrs Talbot

and also his paper from Mind (1877) ["Biographical sketch of an infant"].

Summary

Sends article on dimorphism in Oxalis violacea [Am. Nat. 16 (1882): 13–19].

Summary

Encloses an extract (from the Bayswater Chronicle [missing]), which is part of an ongoing disagreement in which JFS is involved.

Has read some references to CD’s hypothesis on music and offers a MS by himself which deals with the subject.

Summary

Has ordered a tin of Somerset Mixture snuff for CD.

Summary

Sends a translation of Aristotle’s De partibus animalium and imagines that if the old teleologist were alive CD would convince him of his errors.

Summary

Responds to CD’s query about the sensitivity of plants in light and darkness and Julius Wiesner’s assumptions [in Das Bewegungsvermögen der Pflanzen (1881)].

Summary

Trying to get some Darwinians into the Institut de France.

Summary

Politics at Kew led to a letter of thanks to CD from the First Commissioner for his gift.