Summary

Thanks WTT-D for Drosophyllum seeds.

Summary

Will not sign a petition, for he feels vivisection is essential to the progress of physiology.

Summary

Reginald Darwin’s pleasure at receiving some old family information.

Summary

Has failed with his experiments on aerial roots.

Summary

Sends his autograph to HR for the Galerie internationale [1880].

Summary

Thanks GBNH for a fact about CD’s grandfather [Erasmus Darwin], but he will not be able to use it in his brief notice.

Summary

FD’s experiment shows that caustic does not interfere with the bending of radicles. Believes that the apex is a kind of brain for certain movements, being specialised to receive certain irritations.

Summary

Stresses importance of ensuring that cauterisation of radicles does not, through injury, prevent movement. Plans an experiment to test for "apheliotropism" in certain radicles.

Summary

CD gives suggestions concerning FD’s experiments on the radicles of roots. Asks him to find out whether J. von Sachs tried beans. Should also try other gramineous plants.

Bernard looking forward to his father’s return.

Summary

Francis wants a copy of a book on "Shakespeare’s merry tales" to present to a friend in Würzburg.

Summary

Sends proofs of his preface [to EK’s Erasmus Darwin], with which he is disappointed. Suggests additions and improvements he would like to make.

Summary

Inquires concerning a possibility of searching old deeds about the Darwin family history.

Summary

CD has corrected the first proofs [of Erasmus Darwin] and so returns RD’s books. CD is disappointed with his work and fears RD will be also.

Summary

Asks that authoress be thanked for poem. Enjoyed poetry in old days; now cannot read a line.

Delighted that ERL will find time for original investigations.

Summary

Structure of some "very curious" tendrils.

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.