Summary

A reader of Descent offers two items: 1. Masters observed a pericardial fold in humans and other mammals which is a vestigial left superior vena cava;

2. JM suggests the frenum of the human penis became necessary for vis-à-vis copulation when man became bipedal.

Summary

Sends his copies of CD’s MS of Cross and self-fertilisation and calls attention to errors in addition.

Summary

Has become Professor of Botany at Genoa.

Offers to send his paper on the necessity of out-crossing.

Summary

Thanks CD for his authorisation for the résumé which LG will read to the Société Botanique de Lyon.

Insectivorous plants has made a sensation in France. Some are for, some against. Some doubt that a plant could absorb and assimilate the matter dissolved by the secretions. Asks CD if N. B. Ward’s method of culture might be used to answer the question definitively.

Summary

On communication noises used by domestic poultry.

Summary

Has had a cold. Salvia hasn't come yet. Will look for orchids tomorrow. Will send off bull's-horn acacia on Monday or Tuesday.

Summary

Has examined sections of teasel in putrid meat infusion and ammonia.

Summary

The Salvia has arrived.

Has found several fly orchids coming in flower, but no Cephalanthera or Musk.

Cannot do any teazel work.

Anthelme Thozet has sent him a lot of Ophideres.

Summary

Reports his discovery of the behaviour of protoplasm in teasel cells.

Summary

Has sent off Bulls Horn to Kew; has sent hamper to CD; is preparing drawings for his presentation at the Linnean Society; asks after William, and hopes to be able to come to visit.

Summary

Instructs CD that his son [William] should take a holiday following his concussion.

Summary

His paper on the alterations of the poles and changes in level of continents is in shape.

Sends Cambridge news.

Summary

Greatly excited by the astronomical implications of his work.

Summary

Anticipates reading Haeckel’s Perigenesis der Plastidule [1876].

Physiologists will think vivisection bill stringent.

Honorary memberships of Physiological Society created expressly to honour CD.

Working hard at jellyfish just now. Needs snake poison.

Summary

Has got a dodge to see protoplasm in Drosera in dead state. Comes to Hopedene with Amy tomorrow. his paper went off well.

Summary

Sends his papers ["Contributions to the natural history of Kerguelen Island", U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 1, nos. 2, 3 (1876)], which are inspired by Journal of researches.

Summary

Sends analysis of burnt and unburnt samples.

Summary

References to figures of Coryanthes.

Summary

Comments on CD’s criticism of Geographical distribution.

Plans to sell his house.

Summary

Delighted to hear of Frank Darwin’s discovery.

Seems hopeless to reason with people about vivisection.