Summary

Wishes to correct impression of his attitude towards CD’s contribution: CD has successfully explained how differences arise.

Pleased CD will read his book [Tertiary species of Planorbis at Steinheim (1880)].

Summary

Discusses subscription for Grant Allen. Suggests present of microscope.

Summary

Discusses Ernst Krause’s publication of an extract from Earthworms translated into German in the journal Kosmos.

Summary

Asks whether he and W. M. Ord may call on CD.

Summary

Earthworm book with printer.

Has sent FM’s observations on paraheliotropism to Nature ["Movement of leaves", Collected papers 2: 228–9].

Plants with differently coloured anthers.

Intends gathering together his notes on "bloom".

Summary

Encloses statement of U. S. sales of CD’s works to 1 Feb 1881 and sends cheque for balance due to CD.

Summary

Invites JSB and W. M. Ord to Down, and gives instructions for getting there.

Summary

Discusses his election to the Geological Society, worm researches, GHD’s travels, investments,G J Romanes on Samuel Butler, the snow, politics.

Summary

Thanks LS for his advice and his kind note. When CD thinks how he has been treated he will say to himself "so good a judge as Leslie Stephen thinks nothing of the accusation".

Summary

Uncle Erasmus is ill.

Thanks WED for his trouble about the cottages.

He has signed the note to Higgins.

CD has used WED’s Rhododendron case in Earthworms [p. 69].

Is using paper triangles in experiments on intelligence of worms.

Summary

On flowers bending towards light reflected in a mirror.

Summary

Asks FMB to translate letter from Ernst Krause [answering criticisms by Samuel Butler] and to send it to Nature [ "Unconscious memory – Mr Samuel Butler" 23 (1881): 288].

Summary

Has written to Balfour concerning the Butler affair.

Summary

Thanks CD for writing for papers to enter Geological Society. Will return Leslie Stephen’s letter. Has had a severe frost. Emma’s puppy died.

Summary

Belated birthday greetings

and reminiscences of CD’s help to the Station, which continues to prosper. A recent innovation is the establishment of the Zoologische Jahresbericht edited by J. V. Carus.

Summary

Comments on FD’s notions about movement of multicellular and unicellular organisms.

Comments on an interesting letter received from J. B. Hannay [see 13222] which leads CD to speculate on the possibility of organisms inhabiting a red hot earth under great pressure.

Summary

Has been visiting Anthony Rich, who persists in his intention to leave his property to CD despite the large fortune left by Erasmus. It is now all the more necessary for CD to arrange his own will.

Summary

Profuse thanks for plants.

Specifies which euphorbs he wants. Euphorbs’ alternate rows of ammonium carbonate reactive/non-reactive cells are worth more study.

Summary

Glad WB has arrived in Brazil. Suggests study of insects and study of fertilisation in Melastomataceae. Want of books is not a serious evil.

Summary

Wants Trifolium seed.

Has been rereading WTT-D’s letters on "bloom".