Summary

Comments on a letter from Fritz Müller [11839] and particularly on the subject of the disappearance of certain structures in organisms. FM’s explanation deserves serious consideration.

Summary

In reply to a query [in Nature 19 (1879): 433] CD reports that vessels full of water were kept on the deck of a ship to discourage rats from gnawing holes in the ship’s water casks.

Summary

Can FG come to lunch on Monday?

Sorry FG has not been well and is soon going abroad.

Summary

Sends family news;

describes what remains of his "menagerie" and tells of his interest in the framework of his son’s German badger-hound.

Summary

Astonished at circular and will risk revolutions to invest. Describes Blidah, Algeria.

Summary

Thanks CD [for his increased allowance?].

Writes of his tour [in Algeria].

Summary

Has sent FM’s letter on caddis-fly to Nature ["On a frog and caddis-flies", Nature 19 (1879): 462–4].

Summary

Encloses a letter [from Fritz Müller, see 11839] which "eminently deserves to be published in Nature". Discusses the form and illustration needed. Spelling problems to be referred to Robert McLachlan.

Summary

CD elected an honorary member of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Summary

Thanks LAE for publication [Errera and G. Gevaert, Sur la structure et les modes de fécondation des fleurs, 1ère partie (1878)].

Summary

Discusses ASW’s discovery of error in Russian belief about wheat varieties. Suggests that he publish paper in Journal of Royal Agricultural Society. [Results actually published in Gard. Chron. n.s. 11 (1879): 622–4.]

Summary

Has read Krause’s "Life of Erasmus Darwin" [Kosmos 4 (1879): 397–424]; thinks it very interesting to anyone interested in "Darwinismus" – everybody.

Summary

Asks CD about translation of title-page of Kosmos.

Summary

CD and his brother Erasmus have read EK’s article on Erasmus Darwin. Asks whether EK would object to a translation by W. Dallas, to be offered to Fortnightly Review or to be published at CD’s expense as a book.

Summary

Thanks for second edition of Duchartre.

Summary

Is reading Origin on inheritance. Reports case of a man who went bald through illness, whose three sons, all born later, also became bald.

Summary

Suggests CD send Kosmos to W. S. Dallas as Krause will surely give his permission for translation.

Summary

Encloses cheque for Down Coal and Clothing Club.

Summary

Glad CD is pleased by his "Erasmus Darwin". Was not able to obtain book by Anna Seward [Memoirs of the life of Dr Darwin (1804)]. Could CD check relevant passages for errors? Would be great honour if CD could arrange English translation. Wants to enlarge essay into book.

Summary

Report of wild ass crossed with tame one in India.