Summary

Sorry he was out when CD called.

Summary

His brother Cecil is reading Coral reefs, and, as his business involves the Keeling Islands and Torres Straits, he offers to make any observations CD might want.

Summary

Wishes to borrow third part of Fritz Müller’s article on sexual selection in butterflies [Kosmos 2 (1877–8): 218–24].

Is forwarding material on stridulation, including Prof. Wood-Mason’s paper ["Note on Mygale stridulans", Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (1877): 281–2], which should interest CD.

Summary

Sends cutting on origin of variety of merino sheep.

Would like references to works on breeding.

Summary

Cites language books; a comparison of them shows unity of language.

Summary

Constituents of spermaceti ointment supplied to CD. Perhaps effect was caused by substance used to bleach the bees-wax.

Summary

LD’s chemical analysis of lamp-black.

Summary

Has been testing lamp-black for ammonia.

Summary

Encloses some notes on maize that may be useful.

Summary

Invites CD to Kew.

Summary

He has obtained further evidence that rats gnaw through lead pipes for water. CD’s opinion that they hear trickling confirms his view that they possess reason.

Summary

Sends quotations on Dionaea and Sarracenia. [See Insectivorous plants, 2d ed., pp. 243, 366.]

Summary

Insectivorous plants.

Summary

A "dog fancier" and newspaper critic of dog shows, HD seeks CD’s opinion on the origin, cause, and use of "dew claws".

Summary

Returns Kosmos.

Thanks CD for permission to use Fritz Müller’s last letter, which contains new observations.

Summary

Offers observations on pollination.

Summary

Has been reading Samuel Haughton on geological time ["Notes on physical geology, no. III", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 26 (1877): 534–46]. It is utter rubbish. Asks whether CD thinks GHD should write a critical note on the subject [see Nature 17 (1878): 509–10].

Summary

Asks for subscription for A. H. Everett’s cave explorations in Borneo.

Is sure CD is pleased with Albert Gaudry’s new book [Les enchaînements du monde animal dans les temps géologiques (1878)].

Summary

Is using CD’s correspondence with Chauncey Wright in his book on CW [Letters of Chauncey Wright (1878)].

Summary

Information on Cyclamen and other plants.

Identification of some plants.

"Bloom".