Summary

Thanks JL for copy of Die Religionen [1881].

Summary

Thanks for work sent by GdeS and A. F. Marion [L’évolution du règne végétal 1 (1881)]. CD greatly pleased at boldness with which GdeS expresses his belief in evolution. Some of GdeS’s countrymen have been "a little timid" on this head.

Summary

CD declines an invitation to be a trustee [of British Museum] because his strength is insufficient to permit regular attendance at meetings.

Summary

Discusses his investments.

P.S. on earthworms.

Summary

Responds to comments on geology of Florida.

Discusses coral reefs and paper by John Murray ["On the structure and origin of coral reefs and islands", Proc. R. Soc. Edinburgh 10 (1880): 505–18].

Comments on AA’s paper ["Paleontological and embryological development", Proc. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 29 (1880): 389–414].

Summary

Passage in first edition of Origin, [p. 184] on bears rendered larger and more aquatic by selection was omitted from subsequent editions on advice of Richard Owen. Has always regretted following that advice.

Summary

Wants a Clematis identified. Has been observing how earthworms drag down its petioles.

Summary

Asks for return of letter from J. P. Bishop about hair turning grey at an early age in three generations.

Summary

Aware that AH thinks CD has done nothing to advance the good cause of the descent theory.

Obliged for gift of AH’s [Tertiary species of Planorbis at Steinheim (1880)].

Summary

Sends autograph. Hopes collecting will lead Bok to science, as it did him.

Summary

Thanks for WTT-D’s attempts to get the Trifolium seeds.

Summary

Thanks for DM’s [Zoological atlas (1881)].

Summary

Copies of FD’s paper have arrived ["The theory of growth", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 18 (1881): 406–19]. Does he want them dispatched?

Summary

CD defends English physiologists on vivisection.

Summary

Some papers have arrived for FD.

Comments on the work of Phillipe van Tieghem who evidently knows nothing of insectivorous plants.

Leslie Stephen’s visit to Down went off well.

Summary

Thanks EK for his article [on CD’s Movement in plants].

Admires EK’s wide interest in science. Would like to send him something to publish in Kosmos.

Fears his new book [Earthworms] will hardly do, but will send sheets when printed so that EK can decide whether any chapter or a part of one will serve. Victor Carus’s consent would be needed for publication in Kosmos, and CD will ask for it.

Summary

Ernst Krause wishes to publish a section of Earthworms in Kosmos. CD has consented. Hopes JVC will not object. He feels under obligation to Krause.

Summary

Sends £90 [for experiments on potatoes]. Sorry JT cannot get his varieties well enough known to ensure large sale.

Summary

Discusses his investments.

Summary

Thanks FD for his excellent corrections [to MS of Earthworms].