Thanks JSBS for telegraphing his results, which seem very remarkable; feels he should now try Drosera.
Very pleased at JSBS’s discovery ["On the electrical phenomena which accompany the contractions of the leaf of Dionaea muscipula", Rep. BAAS 43 (1873): 133].
Asks for pure animal substances [proteins] for Drosera experiments. His other sources have been T. L. Brunton, Edward Frankland, W. A. Miller (now dead), and Hoffmann of Berlin [A. W. von Hofmann?].
Mimosa too far gone to send now.
CD’s marjoram is the common [Origanum] vulgare, not the pot herb.
On the water injury, Thiselton-Dyer and he may have used too fine a spray, but plant is insensitive.
Horribly angry at P. G. Tait’s letter in Nature [8 (1873): 381–2].
Tyndall writes that he is strong – the next number of Nature will prove it.
G. Henslow is much better.
JDH leaves for Bradford [BAAS meeting] tomorrow.
Rejoices at CD’s success with Drosera; longs to be at Nepenthes.
Thanks for ESM’s paper ["On the systematic position of the Brachiopoda", Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 15 (1873): 315–72]. "What a wonderful change … to look at these ""shells"" as ""worms""."
Obliged for information on Mimosa albida; if a vigorous plant behaves as JDH says, CD’s notions are all knocked on the head.
Anxious to read Tyndall’s answer to Tait [Nature 8 (1873): 399].
Drosera story too long for his strength. Essentially the leaves act just like stomach of an animal.
Burdon Sanderson will give some grand facts at BAAS about Dionaea.
Offers to help JDH with Nepenthes experiments. Finds experimental work always takes twice as much time as anticipated.
Reports that S. W. Moore may be able to provide various substances for CD’s research on the digestive power of Drosera (sundew).
Thanks for proofs of the Supplement to Crag Mollusca. Sends crab apples.
Consults about the wisdom of Frank’s becoming CD’s assistant rather than practising medicine.
Outlines his finances.
[Copy in EAD’s hand.]
CD, in commenting on Wyville Thomson’s "Notes from the Challenger" [Nature 8 (1873): 347–9], recapitulates his work on rudimentary male cirripedes [Living Cirripedia], especially the complementary males attached to hermaphrodites. Offers an explanation, on evolutionary grounds, of their function and size.
Although CD’s experiments with pepsin were unsuccessful, he observed that the glands [of Drosera] as far as acid is concerned act just as the stomach of a mammal. Further experiments detailed. The secretion must contain something analogous to pepsin. [See 9062.]
Requests 6 2oz bottles with corks. Folic acid produces remarkable effect. Orders hydriodic acid.
CD’s discovery of acidity of Drosera secretion is interesting. EF explains how hydrochloric acid can be detected and identified. [See Insectivorous plants, p. 88.]
Thanks for C. E. Norton’s address.
Tyndall’s answer [Nature 8 (1873): 399] has surprised and disappointed him;
great trouble in announcing Tyndall’s election as President Elect [of BAAS] yesterday. Tyndall may throw up the Presidency. Spottiswoode and JDH have concocted a letter telling him the facts.
A very poor dull meeting. Comments on papers by W. C. Williamson, Clerk Maxwell, David Ferrier, Burdon Sanderson [Rep. BAAS 43: lxx–xci, 23–32,126–7, 131–3].
Has heard Huxley is back quite well.
Sends CD an account that has the novelty of having a balance against CD.
Will follow EF’s suggestions as to securing purity of fibrin.
Discusses apple specimens received from CL; reversion to crab state. Cites passage on subject in Variation.
Comments on letter from Mr Wood on inheritance in fruit-trees.
Would like to cross flowers of "Hawthornden" with many distinct varieties.
CD will have to make heavy corrections in Expression and Descent if there ever is a new edition of either.
Will soon begin another book [Insectivorous plants].
It and a second one [Cross and self-fertilisation] will sell only "very specially".
Seedling vigour resulting from crossing of parents.
CD to publish work on insectivorous plants.
Comments on EH’s Natürliche Schöpfungsgeschichte [4th ed.].
Has written paper on rudimentary structures ["Complemental males of certain cirripedes", (1873) Collected papers 2: 177–82].
Edward Morse thinks brachiopods should be classed with annelids ["The systematic position of the Brachiopoda", Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 15 (1873): 315–73].
EAD sees advantages to Frank’s becoming CD’s assistant.
