Summary

CD’s little biography [Erasmus Darwin] has turned out very dull.

May FG’s tour turn out pleasant.

Summary

Has sent remaining sheets for proposed French translation of Erasmus Darwin. Edmond Barbier should consider the pages from Seward’s Life that have been cut from the English edition.

Summary

Until C-FR sees the whole of Erasmus Darwin, he cannot decide if it is worth translating into French.

Summary

Thanks him for his letter in Nature [23 (1880–1): 336, concerning Samuel Butler’s Unconscious Memory]. Explains how revision in Krause’s part [of Erasmus Darwin] and the subsequent misunderstanding came about.

Summary

Further comments on HM’s [Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)].

Summary

References to Fritz Müller’s papers relevant to Weismann’s Studien [in Kosmos (Aug, Sept, and Oct 1877)].

Summary

Has read WEG’s article ["The colour sense", Nineteenth Century 2 (1877): 366–88] on H. Magnus’ view. Informs him of a criticism of this view and reply by Magnus in Kosmos. Offers to send the article.

CD has contributed some facts on the difficulty children have in distinguishing colours (or naming them correctly).

Summary

Will shorten or leave out many parts [of Erasmus Darwin] but cannot agree that it is not worth while to say something about the family.

Summary

Discusses allegation [about Erasmus Darwin] made by Samuel Butler. Will value LS’s verdict highly.

Summary

Is sending chapter [of Earthworms] for FD to look over.

Comments on FD’s work on movements of mould.

Is glad to hear about Julius von Sachs and the circumnutation theory.

Summary

Müller’s observations on orchids excellent.

Summary

Greatly relieved by THH’s letter [advising against a reply to Samuel Butler].

Summary

Thanks GJR for his second letter replying to Butler [Nature 23 (1880–1): 335–6].

Summary

[Ernst Krause’s] letter to Nature ["Unconscious memory – Mr Samuel Butler", 23 (1881): 288] has been dispatched.

Gladstone has dated Wallace’s pension from last July, "which is splendid".

Summary

Thanks for information and stories about Erasmus Darwin.

Summary

Interested that HM is studying structure of insects in relation to flowers.

Summary

Declines an invitation to write for an unidentified periodical. "I am unable to write short articles in an interesting manner, & they would consume much of my time."

Summary

Has resolved never to write for periodicals.

Summary

Discusses GJR’s idea of subjecting plants to brief flashes of light.

Hoped to see GJR in London, but was too tired.

Delighted his book Movement in plants has interested GJR.

Asks if GJR has example of dogs calling on each other to go hunting; there is a case half a mile away.

Has heard that Samuel Butler has abused him in his latest book, but he does not intend to look at it.

Summary

Thanks for German translation of Movement in plants.

Glad Kosmos is to be continued [by Schweizerbart].