Summary

Tells some of his observations on root cells. Has thought of three good experiments to oppose Julius von Wiesner.

Summary

Reports splendid cases of "paraheliotropism" which he now believes is one of the commonest movements of plants.

Summary

Copies of FD’s paper have arrived ["The theory of growth", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 18 (1881): 406–19]. Does he want them dispatched?

Summary

Some papers have arrived for FD.

Comments on the work of Phillipe van Tieghem who evidently knows nothing of insectivorous plants.

Leslie Stephen’s visit to Down went off well.

Summary

Thanks FD for his excellent corrections [to MS of Earthworms].

Summary

Is sending chapter [of Earthworms] for FD to look over.

Comments on FD’s work on movements of mould.

Is glad to hear about Julius von Sachs and the circumnutation theory.

Summary

Sends further chapters of Earthworms for correction.

Summary

Dispatches chapters six and seven [of Earthworms].

Asks for any opinions on V. Hensen and his book, Physiologie der Zeugung [1881], which seems interesting.

Summary

Thanks FD for corrections [for Earthworms].

Discusses experiments on absorption in Drosera.

Summary

CD looks forward with dread to future as he does not have the strength to begin any new subject requiring much work.

Plans to look again at the absorption by roots and root-hairs.

Summary

A stock certificate has arrived for FD.

Summary

Has taken almost all FD’s corrections for chapter six [of Earthworms]. Is glad FD approves of the book.

Summary

Has accepted FD’s correction to chapter seven [of Earthworms].

Weather is bad; sky like lead and the lake as black as ink.

Summary

Describes seeds sent by George Payne [see 13205]. Is surprised that they bury themselves.

Summary

Ernst Haeckel wants to go to Ceylon to examine Medusae and Radiolariae, CD has offered him £100.

Is working on revises of Earthworms.

Has seen a pied flycatcher for the first time.

Summary

Comments on FD’s notions about movement of multicellular and unicellular organisms.

Comments on an interesting letter received from J. B. Hannay [see 13222] which leads CD to speculate on the possibility of organisms inhabiting a red hot earth under great pressure.

Summary

Comments on the response to Movement in plants, which seems to have been successful.

Is going over revises of Earthworms.

Is investigating further his notion that leaves align themselves in the rain so as to shoot off drops of water.

Summary

Has been reading Julius von Wiesner’s book [Das Bewegungsvermögen der Pflanzen (1881)]. Comments that it is "an excellent book, but he vivisects me in the most grievous terms, but most effectively".

Has been experimenting on aggregation of chlorophyll but with little success.

Summary

Thinks FD should review Julius von Wiesner’s book [Das Bewegungsvermögen der Pflanzen (1881)]. CD comforted that Wiesner’s experiments support their findings but finds it laughable how differently he has interpreted them.

Summary

Earthworms is selling well.

Discussed how to repeat some of their plant experiments while in Cambridge.

Comments on Julius Wiesner’s views on plant movement.

S. H. Vines was very much surprised at the action of carbonate of ammonia on the roots of Euphorbia.