Discusses vivisection and contradicts CD’s defence of English physiologists.

Asks if he may publish CD’s reply to his previous letter.

Only more sensitive seedlings respond to flashing light.

CD’s letter to Times ["On vivisection", 22 Apr 1881] in every way admirable.

GJR to be Zoological Secretary of Linnean Society.

Has decided on arrangement of material for his books Animal intelligence [1882]

and Mental evolution in animals [1883].

Gives case of the inheritance of a tendency to turn grey at a particular age,

and, from his own family, details of the inheritance of a thumb deformity that apparently originated with his grandfather.

Regrets CD will not allow publication of his letter.

CD is invited to allow his name to be suggested for the vacancy in the Trust of the British Museum caused by the death of Lord Beaconsfield. [See 13142.]

Cannot write so is using Lily as secretary. Proud to be member of Geological Society. Sends observations of rhododendron leaves. Could not find piece of ploughed land. Has proved Josiah Wedgwood III’s death in North Eastern Railway Company. Taking care because head hurts.

Sends observations of wormcasts at Malvern. Describes stay at Abinger.

CD made an associate member of the Royal Belgian Botanical Society.

Introduces Capt. George Montague Wheeler of the US Engineers, who has charge of the government expedition west of the 100th meridian.

Sends a copy of his dissertation on the germination of the Cucurbitaceae.

Discusses possible investments.

Thanks for letter expressing CD’s position with regard to experiments on living animals and for getting the letter printed in the Times [18 Apr 1881, Collected papers 2: 226–7].

News from the laboratory at Strasbourg; is working on Equisetum roots. Wortmann has found circumnutation in the mycelium of a fast-growing fungus. Please send papers (see 13155).

Sends a likeness [missing] of a monstrous woman who may be considered as "Darwin’s lost link".

Sends his review of Movement in plants from Die Gartenlaube.

Comments on the future prospects of Kosmos.

Comments on review of Samuel Butler’s Unconscious memory by Romanes in Nature [23 (1880–1): 285–7] and Romanes’ reply to Butler [pp. 335–6].

Asks whether he might have a chapter of Earthworms to print in Kosmos.

Thanks CD for R. W. Darwin’s memoranda respecting Franklin. Would be grateful for copies of any Franklin letters that exist among Dr Darwin’s papers.

A student and an admirer of CD wishes to have a few lines from him.

Discusses the structure and formation of the Florida peninsula. Part played by marine animals in building banks on which coral can thrive.

Is sorry to have involved himself in a priority dispute between Wortmann and Elfving. Intends to publish on circumnutation; will CD send him his notes? Apologises for taking CD’s protractor, will send it back. Has met Oscar Schmidt.