Summary

Explains how they look after Drosera plants.

Encloses his father’s autograph.

Summary

Sends Fritz Müller’s view that many of the pointed appendages on the tip of the maxilla of Vanessa atalanta are organs of feeling or taste.

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

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

Expresses his pride in FD, whose article ["On the structure of the snail’s heart", J. Anat. Physiol. 10 (1876): 506–10] was highly praised by G. H. Lewes.

Lewes has also been quoting FD’s letter in Nature [13 (1876): 384–5] on pycrotoxine in relation to the vivisection controversy.

Was introduced to James Sully, author of the article in Mind on Wilhelm Wundt ["Physiological psychology in Germany", 1 (1876): 20–43]

and Sensation and intuition (1874) [see 10320], by "Mrs Lewes" (George Eliot).

Summary

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

Summary

Has had a cold. Salvia hasn't come yet. Will look for orchids tomorrow. Will send off bull's-horn acacia on Monday or Tuesday.

Summary

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

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

Reports his discovery of the behaviour of protoplasm in teasel cells.

Summary

Discusses FD’s observations on the protrusion of protoplasmic masses by cells of the teasel. Suggests analogy with amoeba. "I would work at this subject if I were you, to the point of death."

Summary

Has sent off Bulls Horn to Kew; has sent hamper to CD; is preparing drawings for his presentation at the Linnean Society; asks after William, and hopes to be able to come to visit.

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 It will be important to see whether the protoplasm oozes through the cell-walls [of Dipsacus] or whether it can be withdrawn.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

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

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 about constituents of burnt soil.

Summary

On burnt soils.

Summary

Forwards chapter [of Orchids (1877)] for correction.

Sadness at the death of Amy.

Summary

Suggests German works worth translating.

Is glad FD is keeping busy; he has worked excellently on proof-sheets [of Orchids (1877)].

Summary

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