Summary

Summarises letter of William Nation [13350]. The facts given strongly support the conclusion that there is some close connection between the parasitic habits of birds that lay their eggs in others’ nests and the fact of their laying eggs at "considerable intervals of time".

Summary

Sends copies of Variation, Descent, and Journal of researches from "the library of my late brother".

Summary

JL’s sentence about glaciation will do excellently. Is glad JL thought about dimorphism of butterflies.

Summary

Tells some of his observations on root cells. Has thought of three good experiments to oppose Julius von Wiesner.

Summary

Asks SHV about nature of granular matter formed in root cells of Euphorbia peplus which have been placed in solution of ammonium carbonate.

Summary

Interested in the fossil scorpions found by AG in the Lower Carboniferous strata of Scotland. Hopes further searches will yield more land animals and offers to subscribe funds to such a search if it falls outside the Geological Survey’s work.

Summary

Thanks LJJ for informing him of error [in Earthworms].

Summary

Sends corrections ("two bad errata & a blunder") in Earthworms, which is selling well in England.

Summary

Errata discovered in Earthworms are listed. Large sales in England, but this is no indication for France. [See 13510.]

Summary

CD thinks the celts [prehistoric tools] on the pan could not have been buried wholly by worms.

As for large size of Arctic mammals, CD suggests it is an advantage in retaining warmth.

Summary

Thanks for the review [of Earthworms].

Summary

Thanks SHV for his letter [13455] in answer to his questions about the action of ammonium carbonate on the root cells of Euphorbia peplus. Suggests further observations.

Has read J. Sachs [Textbook of botany, English translation (1875)] and H. A. De Bary [Vergleichende Anatomie (1877)] on milk-tubes. He believes that tubes he has observed in germinating roots of Euphorbia myrsinites are modified milk tubes. Will send a paper on the subject to the Linnean Society.

Summary

Explains source of error [in Earthworms].

Summary

Supports the statements on Henry Hicks in JL’s address.

Bonney is an "objector general".

CD has always supported A. C. Ramsay.

Summary

Would like to cite the case of the celt in a new printing of Earthworms. Asks for details.

Summary

"Roots often run down worm burrows, but can penetrate the ground without such aid."

Summary

Cannot explain worm behaviour observed by AEG. Cannot believe in power of vision. Inclined to speculate on capacity for distinguishing damp air.

Summary

Comments on two letters received from W. F. P. Pfeffer [13425, 13464] who thinks Julius Wiesner’s view that light, etc. acts directly on plants is wrong.

Is frantic over the number of letters received about worms; feels the enthusiasm of the reception of Earthworms is laughable.

Is confounded by Euphorbia rootlets and has re-examined the effect of carbonate of ammonia.

Has thought of three good experiments to oppose Wiesner.

Summary

Explains that the animals in the cask cannot have developed from the wheat.

Summary

Discusses GJR’s controversy with the Duke [of Argyll] concerning Roux’s book [Der Kampf der Theile im Organismus (1881)].