Insectivorous plants: the means and site of absorption of digested animal matter. [Newspaper clipping enclosed.]
Informs RLT of J. D. Hooker’s work on Nepenthes ["Nepenthaceae, Cytinaceae", in Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis by A. P. de Candolle (1873), 17: 90–116].
Has asked JDH to try secretions of pitchers that had caught no insects.
Has come to Abinger Hall for a rest after Insectivorous plants, soon to appear. Is sick of the accursed subject.
Thiselton-Dyer’s appointment has come.
Wants to discuss insectivorous plants and get some experiments going.
Rejoices at [Thiselton-Dyer’s] appointment.
Gives a report on a paper by Thomas Powell on coral islands ["Notes on the nature and productions of several atolls of the Tokelan, Ellice, and Gilbert Groups, South Pacific", read 15 Apr 1875, not published].
Insectivorous plants ready for publication. Asks price. Suggests advertisements in Nature and Gardeners’ Chronicle.
An article on RLT’s lecture on insectivorous plants has appeared; the author adopts an anti-Darwinian attitude [see "Flower traps", Spectator 19 June 1875, pp. 784–5; RLT’s reply in Spectator 26 June 1875, pp. 816–17.]
Hopes to start looking over his species notes in about a year.
Very much enjoyed Southampton [meeting of BAAS, 9–12 Sept].
Observations of fear in animals marked by dilation of pupils.
Is staying at a friend’s [T. H. Farrer’s] house for rest until after 6 July, so cannot see CVR at Down.
Hopes he thanked CVR for the last Report [one of CVR’s Annual reports on the noxious, beneficial and other insects of the State of Missouri (1868–76)].
Sends first copy of Insectivorous plants to CD. Price must be 15s.
Is sorry his correspondent has had so much trouble about his address. Suggests he send the book from R. D. Fitzgerald [Australian orchids, vol. 1 (1875–82)] either by post or by rail.
Sorry to hear price of 15s [for Insectivorous plants]. Asks that JM consider 14s. Fears small sale at 15s. It is his fault – he never can help making his books too big.
Thinks Insectivorous plants must be translated and published in Germany.
Journal of researches nearly finished.
A new [German] edition of Origin is wanted.
Agrees to price Insectivorous plants at 14s.
Has CD quoted a price for stereotype plates to D. Appleton?
Mentioned to Appleton only that stereotypes [for Insectivorous plants] would be provided for "a little above cost price". Glad the price of the book will be 14s. He likes making money, but cares more for wider distribution of his books. Is uneasy about sale of Insectivorous plants.
Pigmentation of Celebesians’ skin changes from birth onward. Passes through some of Paul Broca’s types.
Thanks WCW for sending his lecture ‘The dawn of animal life’, which seems "a wonderfully clear & interesting sketch of the lower organisms".
CD’s publisher is sending FJC an early copy of Insectivorous plants, in which he hopes that FJC’s admirable papers are acknowledged with the respect that they deserve.
