Summary

Notes on the thickness of mould on the slope of the inland side of Beachy Head.

Summary

Cannot write so is using Lily as secretary. Proud to be member of Geological Society. Sends observations of rhododendron leaves. Could not find piece of ploughed land. Has proved Josiah Wedgwood III’s death in North Eastern Railway Company. Taking care because head hurts.

Summary

Obliged for potatoes. Has instructed that they be planted and labelled.

Summary

Discusses dead earthworms on surface of ground after rainfall.

Describes experiments involving sensitivity of earthworms to light and how it reflects on their intelligence.

Summary

Reports observations of worms for CD’s use.

Summary

Huxley has written to accept gift of Rich’s house.

Approves of Lord Derby’s politics.

Summary

Pleased that Huxley is likely to accept gift of AR’s house.

Summary

Will proof-read his preface to Weismann’s Studien.

Summary

Sends some books.

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Thanks EBT for gift of Anthropology [1881].

Summary

Comments on GJR’s view of animal consciousness. Mentions experiment on learning among worms.

Summary

Thanks HdS for pebbles of Roman bricks. When he goes over MS [Earthworms] again, he will compare smoother ones with those having undergone attrition in gizzards of worms.

Has received book [La question du lac] sent by HdS.

Also sends photograph taken by Leonard Darwin of CD.

Requests photograph of HdS to add to his collection.

Summary

Suggests transplanting plant ovaries to test Pangenesis.

None of the cats released in experiment found its way back.

Summary

FM’s view on meaning of two-coloured stamens in many flowers; CD has been looking through his old notes on dimorphism for supporting evidence. Intends to send extract of FM’s letter to Nature or to Linnean Society.

Summary

Sends CD some samples of recent produce. Is "pretty well disgusted by the apathy and stupidity" he has encountered whilst trying to arouse interest and support for his work.

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Sends boxes of Lake Geneva pebbles that CD requested.

Summary

Reports some observations on the growth of hair on his baby son’s ears.

Summary

Returns the two books JHG had lent him. "I can plainly see I had better say nothing about the acidity of common mould."

Summary

Thanks for BJS’s account of the Fuegians. CD would have predicted that "not all the missionaries in the world could have done what has been done".

Summary

Has received WBT’s fine work [Edward Blyth, The natural history of the cranes, enlarged and reprinted by WBT (1881)].