Summary

Kew’s Drosera capensis is at CD’s service.

Summary

Is sending Drosera back

and "the curious Kerguelen book".

"Drosera has almost been the death of me."

Hopes the accursed man [Ayrton] does not give JDH any more trouble.

Summary

Miscellaneous personal matters.

What does CD think of Robert Mallet’s earthquake theory? Would it not account for strata dipping at base of range of mountains?

Summary

Is much vexed about Drosera.

Land-level changes and volcanic activity.

Summary

Condolences on death of JDH’s mother.

Summary

Asks for London address of George King [Superintendent of Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta], so he can ask about worm-castings sent by King from S. India. Has just received a splendid letter from John Scott on worms.

Asks where he can buy Dionaea.

Summary

Has initiated inquiries about Dionaea.

Sends George King’s address.

Summary

Asks for address of a Mrs Barber somewhere in South Africa.

JDH’s letter in Nature [6 (1872): 516–17] is excellent, and wonderfully quiet.

Severely criticises Owen’s conduct.

Summary

Sends Mrs Barber’s address.

Gratified that CD hates Owen. Hopes Owen will not answer Nature letter and draw JDH into controversy. Owen’s letter was not intended for Ayrton to use. Its appearance must have horrified him.

State of Huxley’s health makes JDH uneasy.

Willy is in a stockbroker’s office in London and likes it.

Summary

Dionaea plants have arrived. Just ready to observe some points in their structure.

Has Murray sent Expression book?

JDH’s particulars about Owen, Ayrton and Co. ("a nice firm") amused CD much.

Summary

Thanks Hooker and Darwin for the money to emigrate to India to work.

Summary

Tells Hooker to do as he pleases about proposing John Scott.

Summary

Has been asked to take shares in the Artizans’ Dwellings Co., in which CD is a shareholder. If it is really a project for public good, he would be glad to be associated.

Owen has answered his letter in Nature [7 (1872): 5–7].

A letter from Tyndall [from America] was read at the X Club.

Summary

Writes, as a P.S. to his previous letter, stating his friends have advised him not to answer Owen’s attack.

Summary

Pros and cons of answering Owen’s letter.

On Artizans’ Dwellings, he approves the object but it is lost money as an investment.

Summary

Is reading W. R. Greg’s Enigmas of life [1872]: "One of the most eloquent books I ever read".

Owen’s communications are doing incalculable mischief to science in the eyes of Government officials. "This ignorant, careless, unobservant government."

The Nature editors, J. N. Lockyer and Bennett, blame each other for printing Owen’s letter.

Huxley looks wretched.

Summary

Work will prevent his visiting Down as he had planned.

Summary

On his mother’s death.