Asks Murray not to announce Cross and self-fertilisation.

Explains that his publisher has erred in announcing his book [Cross and self-fertilisation] prematurely. [See 8890 and 8897.]

Recommends H. Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873).

Thanks FL for sending his essays and some photographs.

Has been told CD wants photo of him; sends one. Requests a portrait photo of CD for his album. KEvB apologises for his English and his shaky hand; he is 88 years old.

Comments on HM’s book [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)]. Particularly glad to read historical sketch and discussion of work of C. K. Sprengel.

Recommends H. Müller’s Die Befruchtung den Blumen durch Insekten (1873).

Because of current interest in hereditary instinct, relates incident about a baby alligator, just emerged from its shell, attempting to bite a human.

Thanks for note and information.

Mentions venomous caterpillars in Africa and Australia.

Thanks for the Dionaea leaves. They support CD’s anticipation that they are adapted to let the smaller fry escape [see Insectivorous plants, p. 312].

Thanks for reference to Hermann Müller on fertilisation [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)].

Publication plans.

John Murray has announced his next book [Cross and self-fertilisation] without CD’s knowledge. It is only half-written. JVC will hear when it is published and will decide whether it is worth translating. It will be dry, but, CD believes, of value.

Has read an account of JVC’s Scottish lectures.

Invites JVC to Down.

Praises Expression.

Reports on Fritz Müller’s observations of cross- and self-fertilisation. HM will cultivate the two forms [i.e., mainly self-fertilised and mainly cross-fertilised] in the way CD has described.

He continues his observation of wild flowers. Encloses drawing of Viola tricolor with notes on its self-fertility.

French translation of Expression [1874].

Thanks for CD’s praise of his book [see 8901].

Requests permission to translate Descent into Polish.

Samuel Pozzi’s translation of Expression progressing slowly.

J. J. Moulinié’s translation of Descent is stylistically poor, which may account for low sales.

Difficult to find European naturalists to translate CD’s works. They would rather write books on "Darwinisme" under their own names.

Has completed his book [The African sketch-book (1873)].

Asks for results of FH’s experiments fertilizing some flowers with pollen from the same flower, & other flowers with pollen from distinct flowers borne by the same plant.

Has read FH’s paper on the distribution of the seeds of the Graminæ (Hildebrand 1872, pp. 740–1) with great interest.

Answers questions about the translations of some species names.