Summary

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

Summary

Asks CD to come up to vote for Lankester.

Severely critical of R. L. Tait’s paper on Nepenthes communicated to the Royal Society.

Summary

Promises to vote for Lankester.

Acknowledges faults of R. L. Tait’s paper.

Summary

Requests CD’s evaluation of the work of the entomologist Robert McLachlan, who is up for F.R.S. in competition with the physiologist A. H. Garrod.

Summary

McLachlan has as strong a claim to be F.R.S. as any entomologist, but Garrod’s work is of higher quality.

Summary

Lists the 14 men elected to be F.R.S. Garrod defeated McLachlan.

Summary

Daughter Henrietta’s illness prevents a trip to London.

Summary

CD preparing new English and German editions of his early geology [of the voyage of the Beagle] books. Asks for Hooker’s copies as he no longer has his own.

Summary

Forwards copies of CD’s geology books.

Summary

JDH’s suggested text for Lyell’s tablet in Westminster Abbey.

Vigner[?] separates digestive principle from Nepenthes, disproving R. L. Tait.

Summary

CD and family suggest inscriptions for Lyell memorial at Westminster Abbey.

CD communicating H. Airy’s paper on phyllotaxis to the Royal Society.

Frank observes pod-like emanations from glands of insectivorous plant ingesting solid insect particles [see 10520].

Summary

Returns Mrs Lyell’s versions of Lyell memorial inscription. Disapproves of religious tone.

Summary

JDH hopes Thiselton-Dyer does not discourage Frank’s investigation of insectivorous plants.

Preparing new editions of botany text-books.

His marriage is set for August.

Summary

Asa Gray’s directed variation would make natural selection superfluous.

CD has read new theological reconciliations of Darwinism and religion.

Summary

CD grieves over death of Frank’s wife Amy; worries that it will weaken Frank’s determination to pursue his scientific work.

Summary

JDH’s condolences at Amy Darwin’s death.

Summary

JDH again expresses his condolences.

The Glasgow BAAS meeting was good, except for Tait’s shameful attack on Tyndall.

Immensely impressed on Scottish geological and glacial features. Is CD aware that the earth beneath Glen Roy roads was found to contain freshwater diatoms?

Recounts the itinerary of his honeymoon in Scotland.

Summary

CD thanks JDH for his condolences. Amy’s baby will live with the Darwins.

Summary

JDH back from his honeymoon.

Finds he has gout, as his father and grandfather had.

Summary

Frank, who has been reclusive and very hardworking, is returning from Wales after a period of mourning for Amy.