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

CD thinks nothing had better be done about the deeds at present.

Henrietta thinks Erasmus Darwin almost too dull to publish.

Summary

Relieved to hear that EK approves of his notice [preface for Erasmus Darwin]. Is reflecting on idea that it might appear after EK’s article as "an additional or supplementary notice".

Grieved to hear that Grant Allen has been accused of plagiarism.

Summary

Thanks for assistance. Nothing more should be done at present about the deeds. JLC’s letter sent to CD’s son [George].

Summary

Notes observations on sensitivity and movement of radicles.

Has finished chapter [of Movement in plants] on sleeping plants and is now looking over heliotropism notes.

Is perplexed by Erasmus Darwin; Erasmus [A. Darwin] likes it, but Henrietta thinks it much too long.

Summary

Will shorten or leave out many parts [of Erasmus Darwin] but cannot agree that it is not worth while to say something about the family.

Summary

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

Summary

Thanks AD for the handsome Annual Report of the Zoological Station (1878). Rejoices at its success and its great service to science.

Summary

Returns an "old book" [? Baeta, Comparative view of the theories and practice of Drs Cullen, Brown and Darwin (1800); see Erasmus Darwin, p. 107]. Glad to see that Dr Erasmus Darwin’s views on fever were attended to.

Fears his life of Dr Darwin will be a poor affair. "Never again will I be tempted out of my proper work."

Summary

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

Summary

"… hardly any event seems to me of such great importance as the settling of Australia, New Zealand, &c &c by the so called Anglo Saxons". CD thinks this due to population pressure.

Summary

Suggests possible visit by EH.

Comments on EH’s research.

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

Gives an account of his publication plans for his and Ernst Krause’s Erasmus Darwin.

CD has never even dreamed of publishing his own autobiography.

Is now working, with Francis, on plant movements.