Summary

Discusses printing of Expression.

Summary

JM will be pleased to publish the new work [Forms of flowers] on the usual terms. MS has been sent to the printer.

Summary

Has no idea about length of index [for Descent]. W. S. Dallas wrote it would take ten days more. Asks how many presentation copies he may have. Lists journals to receive review copies.

Summary

Messrs Clowes will make CD’s corrections and adjust index of Cross and self-fertilisation. Of this work only 1500 copies have been printed. Edition is sold out and account is enclosed.

Of 500 copies of Climbing plants [2d ed.] printed in June 1876, 450 were still unsold as of June 1877.

Summary

Murray’s will not announce CD’s new work [Forms of flowers] until informed to do so.

Summary

Murray’s will be happy to publish [Earthworms] on usual terms of two-thirds profits.

Summary

D. Appleton has been sent 3000 sets of plates [for Expression]. Hopes to publish [Expression] on 12 Nov.

Summary

Sends title-page of Descent for approval. Asks whether CD has any idea of size of index.

Summary

On publishing details for various CD books.

Has no corrections for new issue of Descent [2d ed.].

Questions amount of cheque for profits.

Summary

On cost of the portrait of Dr Darwin, for Erasmus Darwin.

Summary

Sends MS [of Forms of flowers]. Since sale is likely to be small, Murray may not want to publish it on usual terms. CD thinks it may be his last book and asks Murray to publish it on most favourable terms he can afford.

Summary

Sends corrected sheets of Cross and self-fertilisation. How many copies will be printed? Asks whether he is correct in thinking that he has not been paid for the July printing.

Plans to correct Forms of flowers when new edition is needed.

Summary

Agrees to EK’s proposals [for publishing Erasmus Darwin]. Will send sheets to Paris, but is not sure there will be a French translation.

Summary

Price of Expression is 12s.

Sends cheque to pay CD his share of profits on Origin [6th ed.].

Summary

Agrees that new book [Earthworms] be published on old terms. Hopes it will not fail.

CD is curious to read an essay on evolution by a Hindu, which is being sent to Murray from India.

Summary

C. E. Bessey’s case [see 10969] came too late, as the sheets had been printed, but CD thinks it should be carefully investigated as a possible case of incipient heterostyly.

Is trying to make out the function of "bloom", the waxy secretion on leaves and fruits.

Summary

Answers CD’s query about payment made to him [for Descent and Forms of flowers] and explains the basis on which it was made. Because of CD’s wish to be paid before editions are sold off, profits must be estimated. If he were willing to accept annual statements of sales, payments based on them, and final accounting when all were sold, there would be no uncertainty. This is JM’s usual practice.

Summary

Comments on additional printing of Expression. Complains about poor quality of plates.

Summary

Quandary caused by Heliotype Company’s failure to deliver enough plates for Expression because of a strike. Murray’s now has 7000 books and only 3000 sets of plates.

Summary

Thanks RC for telling him about sale of 600 copies [of Movement in plants]. He had expected less, so loss will not be as heavy as he feared. Asks whether he should not have 250 more copies printed and what it would cost to have the type kept up.

Instructions for presentation copies.

The index is the worst ever published.