Summary

Reports that the ability to move ears is common among the Sioux.

Summary

Notes criticising Max Müller’s views on language and Darwinism.

Summary

Sends extracts, from his forthcoming book [The naturalist in Nicaragua (1874)], about the secretion by plants of honey to attract the protection of ants. Invites CD’s comments.

Summary

Returned last night. Huxley, left at Baden Baden, remarkably well.

Would like to come to Down with Strachey.

Summary

On inheritance of gesture.

Summary

Sends paper to be published in Sydney Mail on primitive man.

Sends lists of earth [castings] made by worms [see Earthworms, p. 127],

and a catalogue of Australian Lepidoptera.

Summary

Encloses a copy of his paper on mimicry [Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. (1873): 153–61].

Asks whether large variations are more often limited to one sex than slight ones.

Summary

Answers CD’s questions of 25 July [8987] about temperatures at which cold-blooded animals are killed.

Doubts heat rigor was induced in Drosera. Gives his view of the relation of excitability to increase in temperature.

Suggests experiment to show that electrical changes in plant are the same as in animal muscle and nerve [see Insectivorous plants, p. 318].

Summary

Sends CD an excerpt from N. Y. Tribune [missing] about an account by W. D. Whitney, of Yale, of scientific work in Colorado.

Summary

Has found Lathyrus maritima on the cliffs near Barmouth.

Summary

Has observed CD’s points. Except for leaves of Nelumbium, would have supposed both wax and hairs were connected with absorption or respiratory functions. May subserve some function connected with rays of sun. Watering most prejudicial in the hot sun: a splendid subject for experiments.

Adam is a good man.

Summary

Gives his opinion on why tubes of peas split to the right of the loose stamens [inLathyrus sylvestris].

Summary

Regrets that "our brush theory" is wrong.

Summary

He and Strachey will arrive on Saturday.

Is aghast at thought of being questioned on injury to plants by watering. Fears he will be considered an ignorant Director of Kew.

Summary

African elephants cry when distressed.

Summary

Will arrive at Orpington by usual train.

Summary

Experiments with Mimosa.

Summary

Thanks CD for a copy of Expression. Is always interested in CD’s work, but finds himself diverging from some of his leading ideas.

P.S. Has found shedding of toenails in a nephew as well.

Summary

He has added carbolic acid to the seed germination experiments and sends more results on the effect of formic acid. Formic acid inhibits mildew on dough but not on seeds.

Mildew never grows in ants’ nests.

Sends an account, from the Mishnah, of grain stored by ants.

Summary

Experiments on Mimosa; effects of immersion.