Summary

Letter from Gaston de Saporta.

Germination of onion.

Summary

Reports butterfly species that apparently mimic each other and gives details of some odoriferous species.

[Letter copied in Raphael Meldola’s hand from original sent to Meldola with 11449.]

Summary

Doubtful that great heat would favour development of lower organisms.

Summary

On crossing Aegilops.

Summary

Thinks WB’s proposal a very good one. CD could suggest two or three subjects for essays with respect to the vegetable kingdom, but they would require a long course of experiments "& unfortunately there is hardly any one in this country who seems inclined to devote himself to experiments".

Summary

Thanks for the specimens: the bulbs have been planted.

He has not attended to the colouring matter of plants, but he will ask H. C. Sorby if he would like the specimens.

Summary

Thanks for specimen of Aegilops flour.

Comments on ASW’s papers.

Cites paper by Wilhelm Rimpau on self- and cross-fertilisation in wheat ["Die Züchtung neuer Getreide-Varietäten", Landwirtsch. Jahrb. 6

Summary

Wants CD to forward to Chancellor of Exchequer a letter which explains the progress he has made in his potato crossing. Wants to print a CD letter to arouse public interest in the work.

Summary

Has sent CD a paper partly relating to Dr Creighton’s curious observations ["Some points of science and practice concerning cancer", Br. Med. J. (1878) pt 1: 219–24].

Summary

Encloses letter from R. A. Blair concerning goose with abnormal wing. Hopes WHF will look at bones.

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Will bring photograph of goose with abnormal wing to London.

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Comments on letter on potato experiments JT intends to publish. Will talk with T. H. Farrer concerning JT’s work. Could he undertake work if aided by moderate grant or subscription?

Summary

Sends CD a copy of his memoir on the fenland [Geology of the fenland (1877)].

Outlines the results of his recent researches into the geological history of man, the development of Palaeolithic culture, the occurrence of Palaeolithic remains in the boulder-clays of eastern England, and their relation to glacial and inter-glacial periods.

Summary

CD solicits JDH’s aid in obtaining Government funds for James Torbitt’s efforts to breed disease resistance in potatoes.

Summary

Fertilisation of wheat.

Would like to borrow Wilhelm Rimpau’s papers.

Summary

Thanks for letter. Prepared to continue experiments if aided. Thinks of distributing new [potato] varieties. Believes seeds should be planted this spring.

Summary

T. H. Farrer will consider which department of Government to apply to [for funds for potato experiments]. Government will probably ask Hooker for advice, so CD has written to him. How much money does JT need?

Summary

CD again asks JDH to support Torbitt’s project to breed disease-resistant potatoes. He has also sought support of Farrer, Duke of Richmond, and James Caird.

Summary

T. H. Farrer has talked to James Caird. He believes Royal Agricultural Society will cultivate JT’s seeds. CD pledges £100 for JT’s own experiments.

Summary

His attempts to obtain a Government grant for Torbitt seem hopeless.

CD is suffering from constant swimming of the head.