Summary

Sends M. Guthrie’s book [On Mr Spencer’s formula of evolution (1879)], although HEL may not care to read it having seen Moulton’s letter [12350].

Summary

Circular about the distribution of the overplus of his income and advice on investment.

Summary

A big book arrived for GHD before CD left Down. Hopes it is Thomson and Tait [Treatise on natural philosophy, 2 vols., 2d ed. (1869)]. It shows what they think of GHD.

Thinks it grand if GHD has made a correction about "such an old sinner as the Sun" and hopes his arithmetic on his old subject will turn out right.

Summary

FD’s experiment shows that caustic does not interfere with the bending of radicles. Believes that the apex is a kind of brain for certain movements, being specialised to receive certain irritations.

Summary

Notes observations on sensitivity and movement of radicles.

Has finished chapter [of Movement in plants] on sleeping plants and is now looking over heliotropism notes.

Is perplexed by Erasmus Darwin; Erasmus [A. Darwin] likes it, but Henrietta thinks it much too long.

Summary

Movement of cotton plant cotyledons.

Thanks JDH for his praise of Erasmus Darwin.

Delighted that JDH is thinking about geographical distribution, wishes he would go over the New Zealand flora again.

Summary

Confirms details of EH’s visit to Down.

Summary

Asks correspondent to consider taking a position as his gardener.

Summary

CD invites MGR and his wife to lunch. Travel directions. Regrets that he will be unable to converse for more than an hour and a half. [See 12246.]

Summary

Tells arrangements for their journey to Coniston.

Summary

Invites EH to spend night at Down.

Summary

Wishes to call on THF to discuss the situation with regard to Horace Darwin [who wishes to marry THF’s daughter, Emma Cecilia (Ida)].

Summary

Sends an enclosure [a statement of CD’s finances and estimate of the inheritance his children may expect] for HD and Ida to read; CD very pleased to be able to leave his children comfortably provided for.

Summary

CD expresses the pleasure the Darwins had in the courtesies extended them by the Marshalls at Coniston.

Summary

Thanks for all Horace has done for him and for his ship-shape account. Hopes Horace has charged him enough. There will be less to divide amongst them, which seems to please Frank.

Summary

Coniston is most beautiful, but CD finds "there are too many human beings for my taste".

Summary

Has been asked to contribute to W. K. Clifford memorial fund. Asks JT’s advice on how much the committee hopes to raise. Would like to give handsomely but feels bound "with such a lot of children, not to be extravagant".

Summary

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

May FG’s tour turn out pleasant.

Summary

Requests some seeds.

Believes the leaves of Phyllanthus sleep like those of Cassia.

Summary

At work on Movement in plants.

Discusses John Ball’s, G. de Saporta’s, and his own theories of higher plant origin. Their rapid development remains an "abominable mystery".

Frank is working in Würzburg.