Summary

Wishes to subscribe to RM’s translation of Weismann.

Has seen Scudder’s article.

A. R. Wallace’s article ["Animals and their native countries", Nineteenth Century 5 (1879): 247–59] is excellent.

Summary

Gives results of the experiments: the leaves in most cases make the water alkaline. It cannot be ammonia. He and his son, Francis, suspect potash, which is valued as a manure. Will be grateful for the analysis EF has offered.

Summary

Thanks KA and the other editors of Kosmos for the issue published in honour of his birthday. Sees there is much in it that will interest him greatly.

Summary

Thanks ADeB for sending him Botanische Zeitung, but asks him to send it no more, as CD takes it regularly and has procured the volumes from the beginning.

Summary

Disagrees with GH over the value of cross-fertilisation.

Summary

Thanks for honour of latest number of Kosmos.

Summary

Encloses HWB’s Royal Society certificate with seven signatures, which CD thinks is ample.

Summary

Thanks for kind letter.

Has not yet read EH’s article in Kosmos ["Einstämmiger und vielstämmiger Ursprung", 4 (1878–9): 360–76].

Rudolf Virchow affair lamentable. Virchow’s conduct inexplicable.

Summary

Thanks for birthday greetings.

Summary

Can give no information. Has never read works of Aristotle, but has unbounded respect for him as observer.

Summary

Has just heard that HM has been treated shamefully by his Government. What has happened?

Summary

Thanks AD-P for the gift of part of his Atlas [see 11039].

Summary

Discusses heliotropism in plant cotyledons. Asks for information.

Summary

Has been asked to contribute to W. K. Clifford memorial fund. Asks JT’s advice on how much the committee hopes to raise. Would like to give handsomely but feels bound "with such a lot of children, not to be extravagant".

Summary

CD cannot find his pincers and other tools for microscopical dissection. Does FD know where he should look?

Hopes FD will feel better after "so complete a change" [trip to North Africa].

Sends his love to George.

Bernard gets more charming every day.

CD has been put on a committee for a memorial fund for W. K. Clifford.

Summary

Sends thanks to the Masters for congratulations on his birthday, saying "the approbation & sympathy of one’s fellow-workers in the acquisition of knowledge is the highest possible reward which any man ought to desire".

Summary

Thanks JT for his information. Sends £50 to the W. K. Clifford memorial fund.

Summary

Thanks for having sent prehistoric remains.

Summary

"I do not know whether the enclosed will be of any use to you.– I can say nothing of your fitness for the desired office, as I know nothing whatever of its duties.

I am sincerely sorry to hear of Mr F. Smith’s death."

Summary

Read GA’s book [The colour-sense] with "great interest". Makes criticisms and suggestions.

Cannot believe in GA’s theory of the origin of pleasure and pain.

Is glad he defends sexual selection;

CD finds A. R. Wallace’s explanations "mere empty words" and for many years he has "quite doubted [ARW’s] scientific judgment".

Considers the possible effect of environmental colour on the colour tastes of animals.