Summary

Tells WED of a change in his will.

Summary

Discusses a crossing experiment.

Has been counting the seeds in pods [of Lythrum?].

Summary

Asks WED to make some observations on differences in pods of Lythrum.

Summary

Discusses dimorphic plants, valerian and Erythraea. Would like to look at them; suggests WED draw up a paper on them.

Summary

Would like WED to send a specimen of the unusual plant organ of which he sent a drawing.

Summary

Discusses business matters relating to WED and the bank.

Summary

Asks identity of [Henry] Fawcett, who wrote a capital article on the Origin in Macmillan’s Magazine [3 (1860): 81–92], "A popular exposition of Mr Darwin".

Summary

Has had to draw bills totalling £217 in seven months.

Is glad the Captain has decided to winter in Tierra del Fuego, because this will facilitate "glorious excursions" into the Andes.

Has obtained fragments of fossil bones and part of a Megatherium head.

Their long delay occurred because the charts were not complete for sending home.

CD is now on shore because of seasickness.

The family may not hear from him for a year.

Summary

Discusses matters relating to WED’s first term [at Cambridge].

Summary

Writes of arrangements for the end of the school-term.

Condition of Emma and the new baby [C. W. Darwin].

Summary

Will be grateful for facts from Mr Linton on numbers of eggs from goldfinch–canary crosses.

Summary

Is trying to find a tutor for WED.

Summary

Discusses WED’s affairs and events at Down.

Writes of the benefits of reading.

Summary

Reports on a luncheon of scientific savants at which the Crown Prince of Germany [and Prince of Wales?] were present.

Summary

Thanks WED for sending leaves and making observations on how earthworms drag them into their burrows.

Doubts justice of fierce review against J. Geikie’s book [Prehistoric Europe (1881)] in Nature [by W. B. Dawkins, 23 (1881): 309–10], but if reindeer and hippopotamus have really been found in close contact in same bed – "it tells horribly against interglacial periods".

Summary

Uncle Erasmus is ill.

Thanks WED for his trouble about the cottages.

He has signed the note to Higgins.

CD has used WED’s Rhododendron case in Earthworms [p. 69].

Is using paper triangles in experiments on intelligence of worms.

Summary

Gives instructions to WED about looking for earthworm activity at Brading.

Mentions James Geikie’s excellent book [Prehistoric Europe (1881)].

Summary

Writes of Anthony Rich’s bequest.

Summary

G[eorge] has visited A[nthony] R[ich] at Worthing.

Summary

Sends Asa Gray’s lectures on Natural science and religion [1880].

Greatly enjoyed their stay at Bassett.