Summary

JL is in France with J. Steenstrup.

Summary

Personal news – is unwell.

Mentions "Twin-papers" ["Short notes on heredity, etc., in twins", J. Anthropol. Inst. 5 (1876): 324–9] sent by Galton.

Summary

News from the laboratory at Strasbourg; is working on Equisetum roots. Wortmann has found circumnutation in the mycelium of a fast-growing fungus. Please send papers (see 13155).

Summary

Grateful for CD’s support for his election as F.R.S.

Summary

Tells of the family’s pleasure in reading CD’s first two letters and his journal.

Comments on Shrewsbury politics, the cholera, and the family. Sedgwick calls often; Catherine thinks he is interested in Susan.

Summary

Sorry to hear CD is unwell. Hopes outing [to Patterdale] will benefit him.

Summary

Has sent a copy [of his article on cousin marriage] to Hermann Müller.

Problem he is now working on is a tough nut: "It does not do what [James Clerk] Maxwell said it wd or ought to do".

Summary

Huxley has shown him the jaws of an Anoplotherium brought from the Gallegos by R. O. Cunningham.

Saw Hallett’s wheat crops at Brighton; results of his selection very striking.

Huxley is assembling his Darwiniana papers for republication.

Has written a crushing reply to Richard Congreve ["The scientific aspects of positivism", Fortn. Rev. n.s. 5 (1869): 653–70] and JDH feels "infantine" beside him.

Comments on Sabine’s being offered and accepting K.C.B.

Summary

[The black-balling of Edwin Ray Lankester by the Linnean Society] is a most scandalous shame. Will arrange for his own admission to fellowship of the Society.

Summary

Requests, as Treasurer of the Knockholt & Chevening Footpath Fund, part of the amount guaranteed by CD and family to defray expenses incurred in resisting closure of the footpath.

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Sends a communication [missing] from Gov. J. H. Lefroy of Bermuda.

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GHD has been using E. Norman [CD’s copyist], and he apologises if this has caused delays to CD’s work.

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

Charmed by Huxley’s letter of appreciation [8873].

Lady Lyell’s sudden death.

Summary

Has nearly finished his mathematical paper.

Is not sure when he will go to Patterdale.

Summary

Sends specimen of Californian fish that inhabits mountain lakes. The lakes often dry up and the fish have developed legs to enable them to wander in search of water.

Summary

Thanks for 4th ed. of Origin.

What a basting CD gives "our mutual friend" [Owen].

Glad he argrees with THH on Jamaica affair [Gov. Eyre and the "rebellion"].

Summary

Will visit CD on Saturday.

Summary

Tameness of whales and porpoises.

Summary

Sorry CD considers Horace Darwin unfit for school.