Summary

Agrees to look over MS.

Summary

Describes data relating to variability of Primula elatior.

Summary

Encloses Fritz Müller’s letter.

Is exhibiting butterflies in which variations in the female show a finely graded series. Believes dimorphism can be explained by the selection of the extremes of such a series and the consequent extinction of the intermediates.

Summary

Thinks the facts in Fritz Müller’s letter could be published.

Recommends August Weismann’s essay on dimorphism ["Über den Saison-Dimorphismus der Schmetterlinge", Studien zur Descendenz-Theorie 1 (1875)]

and has no doubt that intermediate forms could be eliminated as RM suggests.

Summary

Thanks for Euphorbia.

Asks for plants for "bloom" experiments.

Summary

Does not think Fritz Müller can object to anything RM has said in his essay.

Has alluded to colour preference among butterflies in Descent [1: 400–1].

Summary

Has received CD’s book [Forms of flowers]; thanks him for the compliment of the dedication.

Summary

Thanks for Australian leaves for "bloom" experiments.

Summary

Thanks for Die niederen Pilze (Nägeli 1877).

Summary

Has noticed citation of his observations in CD’s latest books; writes to add some notes on fertilisation and forms of flowers.

Summary

Sending MS.

Used Anton Kerner’s nomenclature for designating crosses.

Thanks CD for Forms of flowers.

Summary

CD named corresponding member of the Geographical Society of Lisbon.

Summary

Cotyledon sleep movement in Haematoxylon.

Summary

Notes the movements of leaves of Euphorbia jacquiniaeflora in response to light intensity.

Summary

Kind of JP to send notes on horses, but will not write on subject again.

Erasmus Darwin has not left his house for three years.

Summary

Sends two papers on Roman ruins at Cirencester, which he asks CD to return.

Worm observations.

Summary

Description of their English dinner companions at a foreign hotel.

Summary

Sends "worm journal" – observations of earthworm activity at Abinger.

Summary

Thanks THF for the diary of worm activity at Abinger site.

Summary

Rejoices that SS has accepted his son [William]. Judging from his own experience "life would be a most dreary blank without a dear wife to love with all one’s soul".