Summary

Probably a discussiion of J. D. Hooker’s feelings after death of his wife, Frances Harriet, on 13 November 1874: the letter is badly damaged.

Summary

Has finished the "cousin paper" and will offer it to W. Farr for the Statistical Society.

Describes other work in progress.

Has CD heard of A. M. Mayer’s curious work on audition of insects [Am. J. Sci. 3d ser. 8 (1874): 89–103?]

Summary

Thanks for new edition of Descent.

His work on geographical distribution; drudgery and the often unsatisfactory nature of the result.

Summary

On voluntary vomiting. Dogs re-swallow vomited food.

Summary

K. G. Semper’s article ["On the relationship of the Vertebrata and Annelida", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 15 (1875): 94–5] is ill-natured. Misinterprets facts already discovered by F. M. Balfour.

Has been working on Amphioxus. Puts his theory of vertebrate skulls on firm footing at last.

Summary

Delighted with Farrer’s assistance. A. Helps has also spoken to Sir S. Northcote.

JDH is getting on well but has periods of great depression.

Summary

Sends French translation of Journal of researches and will send the £20 due to CD when 750 copies have been sold.

Summary

Cannot help with Pinguicula or Utricularia. Mrs Mary Treat is studying Utricularia.

Forwards his short piece on duration of varieties [New York Tribune 8 Dec 1874; Am. J. Sci. 3d ser. 9 (1875): 109–14].

Summary

Cites more examples of inheritance of maternal impressions.

Summary

Describes his university lectures on evolution and their publication in a book [Die neuere Schöpfungsgeschichte (1875)].

Summary

Awakened by a mouse scratching at night, he mewed like a cat and the mouse disappeared.

Sending a group of stuffed sparrows.

Summary

Sends three specimens of Aldrovanda verticillata.

Summary

Bishop J. W. Colenso supports his old contention that the Kaffirs (including Zulus of South Africa) are Negroes.

[Horace Waller’s] The last journals of David Livingstone [in central Africa (1874)] cites CD’s plant research and has many facts "for Darwin".

Summary

Sends Utricularia montana and Byblis species.

Drosera census numbers 100 species.

Genlisea distinguished from Utricularia.

Summary

Discusses his Anthropogenie [1874]. Remarks on the tables.

Has CD received Friedrich von Hellwald’s Culturgeschichte [1875]?

Plans research trip to the Mediterranean.

Summary

His view of Huxley’s cutting Mivart without explanation. States his own intentions. Mivart’s apology in October Quarterly Review is abominable.

Has heard of a Drosophyllum in Edinburgh. Is it too late?

Summary

Will help Romanes. Offers Kew’s facilities for experiments. Is writing to the Board [of Works?] about a physiological laboratory, which Sir Philip Joddrell has offered to build. Thinks Government should support original research like Romanes’.

Summary

Entirely sympathises with CD about Mivart’s attack on George. THH has had a letter from Mivart in which he pleads guilty, but THH has decided there is no patching the matter up. Advises against doing anything unless Mivart takes initiative.

Summary

Sends capsules with results from Genlisea specimens and fragments of Polypompholyx.

Summary

Has gone over Huxley’s letter, thinks it a model. All must now await developments. If Mivart does not apologise, JDH will write to him.