Summary

H. N. Moseley says [in "Notes on plants collected and observed at the Admiralty Islands", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 15 (1877): 77] pigeons eject seeds in fit state for germination. He regards pigeons as providing most efficient means of transport in Malayan Archipelago.

CD’s collected notes on geographical distribution would make a good book.

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Has found no [potato] variety whose foliage can resist the parasite, except when grown under glass.

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A young disciple wishes to know if reports of people with tails in New Guinea could be true.

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Young Austrian woman asks for CD’s autograph.

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A supporter of "the presumptive connection between socialism and evolution through natural selection" sends essays of Carl Vogt and requests CD to comment on them publicly.

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Sends figures on increase in value of North Western Railway stocks. Says consol stock considered much more secure for bankers. Does not think his own bank is in danger of a run. Is glad to see the Emperor of Prussia has confirmed CD’s appointment to Academy. Is snowing at Bassett.

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Asks about possibility of securing grant in England in order to complete work on ammonites. Describes progress. Could CD recommend him to a foundation? Describes personal background.

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Relates anecdote about a provincial girl’s reaction to being told men descended from monkeys.

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Sends his photograph; asks for CD’s.

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Sends CD a book on science and scriptures written by a clergyman friend [unidentified].

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Points out comment by Grant Allen supporting his theory of the origin of colour sense. Is English translation of his essay possible?

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Respects Leopold Würtenberger’s work. Will initiate inquiry if CD wishes. LW’s work suffers from his limited circumstances. Will assist him if he asks.

Mentions his own forthcoming work ["Zur Kenntniss der Fauna des untersten Lias in den Nordalpen", Abh. K.-K. Geol. Reichsanst. 7 (1874–82), vol. 5].

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Has lately found frog that has eggs on its back.

Pupae of caddis-flies living on rocks have lost fringe of hairs on their feet. In species that live in the water these are used for swimming.

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Thanks CD for accepting dedication.

Asks CD to support his candidacy for position as Registrar of the University of London by talking to Sir John Lubbock, one of the most influential members of the Senate.

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Suggests references that might answer CD’s [unidentified] request for information about coral islands.

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F. Galton and others suggest that he go in for Fellowship [of Royal Society]. Asks that CD propose him. If he is unable to do so HWB will not be hurt to wait another year.

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Oxalis seeds incorrectly named. H. N. Moseley says pigeons in Malaya eject seeds fit for germination.

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Thanks for CD’s interest in his paper on plant movements ["Über die Ursachen der periodischer Bewegungen der Blumen und Laubblätter", Flora 56 (1873): 433–41, 449–55]. AFB concentrated on clear cases, though he knows there are others.

Experiments on function of movement: Mimosa leaves, held so they cannot move, die.

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Thanks CD for gift to support his research.

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Encloses Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, with account of a fungus that exhales chlorine;

relates his discovery in 1852 of a flowering plant that had "perfectly formed beetles" in the place of anthers.