A confidential letter explaining in detail the extent to which he regrets his attack upon [George] Darwin’s article.
Thanks THH for his article in the Academy and his defence of CD and G. H. Darwin against Mivart. Still thinks he should write plainly to Mivart.
CD has written to Mivart to say that he will never hold any communication with him in future.
Is alarmed by the petitions against vivisection that are being circulated. Believes there is scope for reasonable legislation and would like to see eminent physiologists prepare a petition so that the science could be protected and animals saved from needless suffering.
Agrees with CD on vivisection. Will communicate with Burdon Sanderson and see what can be done.
Mivart’s wriggle.
Writes on behalf of Royal Society Polar Committee for suggestions concerning instructions to naturalists on new expedition.
Sends suggestions for observations on glacial phenomena that might be made on the [Polar] expedition [of H. M. S. Alert and Discovery, 1875–6].
Sends his thoughts on [vivisection] petition. Thinks they might make petition more talked about. Leaves it to J. Paget, Burdon Sanderson, and CD to deal with.
Lord Cardwell thinks it unlikely that Parliament will take any action on a vivisection bill this session. Playfair should be consulted.
E. F. W. Pflüger’s important memoir on how carbonic acid is produced by living matter and his speculation about origin of living matter [see 9931].
Lyon Playfair’s bill [on vivisection] is unacceptable to all teachers of physiology. It prohibits dissections for demonstrations to students. He will have to repudiate it. Asks CD’s advice.
CD believes Playfair’s bill would not restrict demonstrations under anaesthetic.
Has received Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet [see 7940].
Has reviewed Quarterly Review article and 2d ed. of Genesis of species for the Contemporary Review [18 (1871): 443–76].
Mivart has hopelessly misunderstood Suarez [Disputiones (1630)] on evolution.
Appreciation of the "marriage gift"; their affection for CD.