Summary

Thanks JvH for admirably illustrated Geology of New Zealand. Will be particularly glad to read about the old glaciers.

Admires extent of cultivation of science in New Zealand.

Summary

Has seen newspaper accounts of JT’s potato experiments. T. H. Farrer wants to know whether JT has published any account of them, and how much assistance he needs.

Summary

Promises to send an oak.

Summary

Wants seedling of Quercus rubra or Q. coccinea.

Summary

CD complains of unfair treatment by EK’s publisher [of Erasmus Darwin, Karl Alberts], who has written that he now does not want the copies of the photographs CD has ordered for him. Is sure that EK will agree that the costs should be deducted from any profits from the sales.

Summary

Wrote to T. H. Farrer about JT’s potato experiments. Would be calamity if JT were prevented from trying successful fungus-proof variety for a few more years.

Summary

Discusses the marriage-settlement for Horace and Ida.

Summary

Thanks for AW’s work ["Zur Naturgeschichte der Daphniden", Z. Wiss. Zool. 27: 51–112; 28: 93–254; 30 (suppl.): 123–65; 33: 55–270]. CD always interested in adaptations which appear to owe their structure to other causes.

Has not heard from Raphael Meldola for a long time about translation of AW’s Studien.

Summary

Only a few copies of the photographs [for German edition of Erasmus Darwin] had been printed, so loss will not be great. CD was rather angry when he wrote [12291] "but it is all over now".

Summary

Thanks GWJB for work on nectaries ["Anatomisch-physiologische Untersuchungen der Blüthen-Nectarien", Flora (1878): 454–60].

Summary

Encloses a cheque to the Down Coal and Clothing Club.

Summary

Returns the memorial, signed, expressing concern about proposed renovations at St Mark’s in Venice.

Summary

Returns completed questionnaire concerning visualising faculty [see LL 3: 177–9]. Thinks age important. Recalls faces of school friends but cannot remember those of people recently met.

Comments on his part [of Erasmus Darwin].

Summary

Answers EK’s questions. Sorry to report Erasmus Darwin sold only 600 copies at advance sale.

Summary

Describes problems of raising money [for potato experiments]. "A Government official in another office remarked to me that it was very difficult for Ministers to decide what to do in such cases as they must be prepared for mere cavillers in the H[ouse] of Commons."

Summary

Thanks for the offer of lending a manuscript relating to his grandfather. It will be of use if a second edition of the Life of Dr. Darwin should appear. Will take the greatest care of them and return them as soon as he has read them.

Summary

Wants a plant identified;

would like some cotton seeds.

Summary

Thanks ESG for list of errata in his part [of Erasmus Darwin].

Extends sympathy on death of Edward Wheler, E. S. G’s brother-in-law.

Summary

Has never heard of bees that are carnivorous; hopes someone will investigate ASP’s observations.

Summary

Has instructed his publisher to send copies of Erasmus Darwin to herself, her sister Emma Sophia Galton, and their half-cousin, Emma Nixon.