Summary

Discusses how fruits of lime-trees arranged themselves in a ripple-like way on a flooded walk.

Summary

Is having a trough made to try experiments [on ripple-marks].

Summary

Arrangements for the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to present a memorial address to CD at Down. Deputation will include H. C. Sorby and W. C. Williamson.

Summary

Further arrangements for visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Down.

Summary

Comments on CD’s book [Movement in plants].

Continues with his experiments with ripple-marks.

Is in despair about his astronomy.

Summary

Glad GHD goes on with ripple-marks; if he makes out a theory of ripples, they might give important information about the most ancient deposits.

CD has been wonderfully glorified in the Times [review of Movement in plants, 20 Nov 1880].

Summary

Discusses GHD’s ripple theory. Asks him how they are formed.

Delighted to hear that light is dawning in GHD’s eyes on the planetary system.

Summary

Thanks to Times review, Murray needs 500 more copies [of Movement in plants].

Summary

The Kovalevskys have been to lunch.

Madame Kovalevsky is greatly interested in GHD’s papers.

Summary

Will GHD ask Lord R[ayleigh] whether "gas-men in testing light, exclude the diffused light".

Summary

[Ernst Krause’s] letter to Nature ["Unconscious memory – Mr Samuel Butler", 23 (1881): 288] has been dispatched.

Gladstone has dated Wallace’s pension from last July, "which is splendid".

Summary

Describes lecture at Royal Institution by J. S. Burdon Sanderson on movement of plants and animals; JSBS’s preliminary part was so long that he never got to the plants.

Comments on the triumph of the ladies in the voting at Cambridge.

Mentions F. Galton’s visit to Down, a call on the Huxleys, and a visit with the Duke of Argyll.

Tells a story about the absent-mindedness of Burdon Sanderson.

Summary

Discusses a letter [not found] from R. S. Ball that has quite delighted him.

Describes events at Patterdale.

Summary

Has nearly finished his mathematical paper.

Is not sure when he will go to Patterdale.

Summary

GHD’s abstract from Nature [24 (1881): 231] has been published in Kosmos.

John Collier has finished his portrait of CD.

Summary

Sends CD information he had requested on W. Graham.

Summary

The General Post Office sent one penny in response to GHD’s complaint, and demanded a receipt, which CD has sent. CD will keep the penny.

Summary

Suggests that GHD employ W. M. Hacon as solicitor for selling E. A. Darwin’s house, rather than Mr Salt’s agents; he remembers that firm as full of odious people.

Summary

Discusses funeral arrangements for E. A. Darwin, and his will.

Summary

E. A. Darwin’s funeral arrangements.