Summary

Starlings seem to share their food. Are they communists as they struggle for their existence?

Describes movement of a caterpillar.

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

F. P. Cobbe called on EAD to present a letter from the Secretary of the Anti-Vivisection Society; she hoped CD might support limiting repetitions of experiments.

Summary

Pressure paralyses the streaming of protoplasm in the hairs of Tradescantia.

Summary

Has received printed sheets from CD. Hopes CD does not intend to delete anything. EK comments on value of his own sketch for Erasmus Darwin.

Hopes CD can excuse article he wrote in response to a review of Grant Allen’s book [The colour-sense (1879)].

Summary

Points to CD’s favourable notice of his anthropological work;

details current financial difficulties and work efforts. Asks to borrow £5.

Summary

Has written to Col. J. L. Chester [genealogist] to ask whether he would like to see the deeds [for Darwin genealogy, see Emma Darwin 2: 237].

Summary

Is gratified if he has helped [with Erasmus Darwin].

Thanks for another consignment of family records.

Summary

Does not believe that deeds will throw light on the first William Darwin and his ancestors, but they will have much of interest for CD’s researches [for Erasmus Darwin].

Summary

Thanks CD for comments on Freie Wissenschaft und freie Lehre [1878].

Describes work on Medusae.

Describes work on Challenger Radiolaria and publication plans.

Summary

Sorry to hear Henrietta’s opinion of the [Erasmus Darwin] proofs. GHD did not think it dull. He makes some suggestions.

Summary

Reports finding a wood pigeon’s nest on the ground, though woods are nearby.

Summary

Suggests revisions in proofs of Erasmus Darwin.

[Letter wrongly dated Nov by LD.]

Summary

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

Summary

Rejects proposal that CD’s sketch appear as a supplement or appendix to his own. Offers alternative suggestions. Proposes title-page for German edition of Erasmus Darwin.

Summary

CD has been elected to the Naturforschende Gesellschaft, Halle. Asks for a photograph. Encloses diploma.

Summary

CH, a chemist interested in zoology, asks CD’s opinion of research programme described on enclosed memorandum. Programme involves investigation of ability of molluscs to build shells out of other carbon compounds in absence of calcium carbonate.

Summary

Sends CD his collection of Homeric epithets on motion, which "indicate ideas of motion more precise and scientifically adjusted than … any other author".

Summary

Sends CD his article on causes of decline of Hawaiian population.

Summary

Regrets that he cannot send the promised volume [Biographie médicale, 7 vols, 1820–5, biographical appendix to Dictionaire des sciences medicales]. Offers to have his son make an abstract of the biography [of Erasmus Darwin].