Summary

Sends analysis of burnt and unburnt samples.

Summary

References to figures of Coryanthes.

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

Comments on CD’s criticism of Geographical distribution.

Plans to sell his house.

Summary

Thanks for kindness in organising special train for Caroline Sarah Wedgwood when she was taken ill.

Summary

Delighted to hear of Frank Darwin’s discovery.

Seems hopeless to reason with people about vivisection.

Summary

Further detailed comments on Geographical distribution.

Base treatment [of George Darwin] by Mivart in Quarterly Review [137 (1874): 40–77].

Summary

Asks how the Coleoptera that inhabit the nests of ants colonise a new nest. Wallace has suggested their ova become attached to winged female ants.

Summary

Obliged for the new edition of The Andes.

Summary

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

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

Summary

Comments on an address by William Thomson (‘On the rigidity of the earth’?), which is about the same problem that GHD is working on. Is confident Thomson has overlooked some points.

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

Coleoptera inhabiting ants’ nests. Means of colonisation of new nests.

Summary

Forwards for publication an article by Dr Richardson [apparently not published] showing the necessity of experiments on living animals. Hopes it will make women, "who from the tenderness of their hearts and from their profound ignorance are the most vehement opponents of all such experiments", pause.

Summary

Describes cosmological ideas of Christian Radenhausen.

Summary

Doubts Christian Radenhausen’s cosmological views are based on fact.

Summary

Has finished Geographical distribution; sends his comments.

Summary

Wishes to arrange for William Darwin to see AC. William has suffered a concussion.

Summary

Thanks MT for her article ["Is the valve of Utricularia sensitive?", Harper’s New Mon. Mag. 52 (1875): 382–7]. Does not understand why he failed to detect movement [in Utricularia], but it appears from her observations that the valve is sensitive.