Summary

Has read CD’s book on Drosera [Insectivorous plants] and found that it presents new material and is very interesting.

Has discovered that the parasites he thought he had found in Melipona nests are in fact true females. It is remarkable that they differ so greatly from the sterile females and males of their species.

Summary

Examples of pupillary dilation.

Summary

Informs CD of Chauncey Wright’s death.

Summary

On fertilisation in certain orchids.

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Writing article for a German newspaper on CD’s life. Requests autobiographical information.

Summary

Thinks CD’s case of twins with crooked fingers may be one from his twin study.

Summary

Reports the death of Chauncey Wright: "a great blow … to the interests of sound thought and scientific inquiry throughout the country".

Summary

Asks whether CD has observed that bees limit their visits to a single kind of flower on each journey from the hive, as Aristotle has said they do. What advantage would such a limitation be to the insects?

Summary

Sends a lecture CD wished to see

and corrects himself about the twins.

Summary

Sends CD the 2d part of his travels into the Tien-shan mountains [Erforschung des Thian-Schan Gebirgs-Systems (1875)].

Has written a paper on the ranges and systematics of wild sheep and on modifications probably resulting from competition with domestic sheep, which he wishes to translate into English and would like to see appended to Variation.

Discusses sexual selection in thrushes; it apparently modifies one species into another.

Summary

Reports on Schrankia aculeata in which pinna and pinnule are sensitive, but, unlike Mimosa pudica, rachis does not move.

Summary

Comments on Insectivorous plants.

Describes his own work on fossil flora of Eastern Siberia.

Discusses genus Ginkgo.

Summary

Sends specimens of grafted potatoes. Describes grafting experiments designed to prove possibility of graft-hybrids, and thus, Pangenesis.

Summary

Acknowledges copy of Insectivorous plants; has observed Drosera filiformis leaves closing around prey.

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When the tails of horned cattle are rubbed ‘just below the root,’ they invariably twist their bodies, stretch their necks, and begin to lick their lips.

Summary

Asks CD’s opinion on whether there is a fundamental difference between the "primitive forms" of animals and plants. Mentions and rejects various views of major distinguishing characteristics.

Summary

Has secured rights to Variation from Judd & Co.; had to pay $350 [dollars or pounds!?] for old plates and promise 50% discount on 150 copies of the new edition. Hopes Murray’s charge for plates of new edition will not exceed cost of doing the work in the U. S. Judd lost out considerably from small sale of his edition.

Summary

Wishes CD to present RLT’s paper on insectivorous plants to the Royal Society.

Summary

Sends an article for CD’s opinion.

Has finished an account of the globes for the Philosophical Magazine ["On maps of the world", 50 (1875): 431–44].

His poor health has interfered with his pitch experiments.

Summary

Sends CD his answers to W. D. Whitney’s articles. Sees man as separated from other animals by the possession of language. There is no scientific evidence for even the slightest attempt at language in the higher animals, which cannot, therefore, be reasonably regarded as "stunted man". [See "In self-defence", Chips from a German workshop 4 (1875): 473–549.]