Summary

Thanks OH for his book [see 9876]; agrees that the sudden appearance of many dicotyledons in the Upper Chalk is a perplexing phenomenon for the evolutionist.

Summary

Is sending plants from cut-leaved vine.

Invites GJR to visit.

"When in presence of my ladies do not talk about experiments on animals."

Summary

WTT-D and E. R. Lankester wish to visit CD.

Has corrected some references for new edition of Variation.

Summary

CD is circulating certificate proposing GJR for membership in Linnean Society.

Discusses hybrid potatoes from Germany.

Summary

Astonished and disgusted at Klein’s evidence. No doubt there will be severe and vicious legislation against physiology. Will give evidence before Commission.

Summary

Has heard that FG will write on inheritance. Huxley does not believe in E. G. Balbiani’s views on subject.

Summary

Interested to hear about the peas.

Summary

JDH reports his battle with Lord Henry Lennox over whether to locate new Herbarium on the Queen’s or public part of Garden.

Summary

JT’s tube [of boiled infusion] dated 16 Oct was clear on 19th; on the 20th it was muddy and contained many bacteria in living movement.

Summary

CD recounts events of the April-fool’s day séance at Hensleigh [Wedgwood]’s. Asks GHD to find out whether Sidgwick’s account of it agrees with what he has heard. "What rubbish the whole does seem to be!"

Summary

Is preparing a paper on the umbilical cord ["On the anatomy of the umbilical cord", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 23 (1875): 498–501; 24 (1876): 417–40] of which he sends a preliminary note [missing]. Believes spiral growth of the umbilical cord is important evidence of the descent of man; speculates on spiral growth in general.

Summary

Encloses draft bill about vivisection; CD and friends may have influence enough to get it introduced in Commons or Lords; TA and the Cruelty Society do not. The Society, however, can pay for preparation of bill.

Summary

"We have not a day to lose if our [Vivisection] Bill or our petition is to do any good". Reports on the activities of the opposition and the attitude of politicians on the subject. Believes a meeting with a minister should be arranged and thinks Lord Derby would be a good man. "All will depend on some half-dozen or 9 or 12 men agreeing on the bill."

Summary

Pleased JVC likes Journal of researches. Responds to his queries and thanks him for conscientiousness as a translator.

Insectivorous plants is so large that Murray will publish Climbing plants as a separate little book. Hopes Insectivorous plants is worth translating.

Summary

CD has helped leading physiologists to prepare a draft bill for legislation with regard to vivisection, and he hopes Lord Derby will support the bill and mention it to ministers of the Cabinet. Has heard that other groups are preparing bills for the same purpose, and feels it important that the science of physiology be protected as well as animals.

Summary

R. L. Tait has requested CD send his [Tait’s] paper on Nepenthes to Royal Society. CD considers this a nuisance.

Certificate for G. J. Romanes.

Francis’ experiments on mechanism of twisted seeds.

Summary

On colour changes in rabbits. Suspects JBI’s is of impure origin.

Is correcting proof of Insectivorous plants.

Summary

Suggests WTT-D read account of Bignonia capreolata in forthcoming Climbing plants.

Plans experiments [on Melastomataceae]. Describes similar experiment performed on Monochaetum. Interested in meaning of differently coloured stamens.

Summary

JDH shares CD’s annoyance with R. L. Tait.

Has identified awned carpels for CD.

Sports of Paritium.

Suggests extending Francis’ experiments with glycerine on twisted seeds, to Mimosa.

Summary

Returns papers [unidentified].

One on inheritance destitute of meaning. How can "force" act without any material on which to act? Discussion must assume truth of some such theory as Pangenesis.