Summary

Sends CD petition from Olmstead and asks him to forward it around to get good signatures.

Summary

Thanks for JF’s book [Darwinism and other essays (1879)].

Summary

Rejoices at THF’s consenting to the marriage of his daughter Ida and Horace Darwin, although the match is a poor one for Ida "in a worldly point of view". [See 12253.]

Summary

Discusses case of colour display in butterfly.

Summary

Parcel of drawings and MS arrived safely.

Summary

CD is relieved by EK’s response to his criticisms. Will attend to all his instructions and will not print his preface until EK has seen it.

Summary

CD gives suggestions concerning FD’s experiments on the radicles of roots. Asks him to find out whether J. von Sachs tried beans. Should also try other gramineous plants.

Bernard looking forward to his father’s return.

Summary

Thanks CD profusely for the circular which detailed his and Emma Darwin’s plans to increase their children’s income. Thinks a few hundred really makes the difference for feeling really rich, especially as he now knows how important it is for bankers to have available personal savings.

Summary

CD thinks nothing had better be done about the deeds at present.

Henrietta thinks Erasmus Darwin almost too dull to publish.

Summary

Stresses importance of ensuring that cauterisation of radicles does not, through injury, prevent movement. Plans an experiment to test for "apheliotropism" in certain radicles.

Summary

CD cannot find his pincers and other tools for microscopical dissection. Does FD know where he should look?

Hopes FD will feel better after "so complete a change" [trip to North Africa].

Sends his love to George.

Bernard gets more charming every day.

CD has been put on a committee for a memorial fund for W. K. Clifford.

Summary

Discusses Müller-Thurgau’s work on heliotropism. Will start on Thursday for Heidelberg and Strassburg.

Summary

Sir Robert Christison says Dr Darwin not the first to recommend alcohol for fever.

Summary

Thanks CD for sending volumes of Dr Erasmus Darwin’s works. Hopes to finish Krause’s MS in a fortnight.

Summary

Her brother-in-law, Edward Wheler, died on Sunday.

Sends some corrections for Erasmus Darwin.

Summary

Thanks FG for an extract [about Dr Erasmus Darwin?].

Summary

Heliotropism nomenclature. Apheliotropic mustard roots grow more quickly in dark. Measures growth with microscope as S. H. Vines did in mould. Studying air roots.

FD’s and Stahl’s negative opinion of Sachs.

Summary

Will see CD in Worthing next week.

Summary

Heliotropic movements. Is giving up experiments until the spring.

Summary

Thanks GJR for gift of game.

Contributes to [Naples] Zoological Station.