African elephants cry when distressed.

Will arrive at Orpington by usual train.

Experiments with Mimosa.

Thanks CD for a copy of Expression. Is always interested in CD’s work, but finds himself diverging from some of his leading ideas.

P.S. Has found shedding of toenails in a nephew as well.

He has added carbolic acid to the seed germination experiments and sends more results on the effect of formic acid. Formic acid inhibits mildew on dough but not on seeds.

Mildew never grows in ants’ nests.

Sends an account, from the Mishnah, of grain stored by ants.

Experiments on Mimosa; effects of immersion.

Reports that grapes are spoiled by rain at vintage time and that damaged grapes, whose "bloom" is not intact, are particularly susceptible.

Comments on Expression. Suggests solutions to some of CD’s unresolved problems. Widens the "Principle of Association", whereby gestures associated with one emotion can also come to accompany a second emotion. Confirms the occurrence of blushing in the dark. Considers CD’s use of the "principle of Conservation of Force"; outlines its larger applications.

Fritz Müller is now working on the Brazilian honey-bees (Melipona and Trigona).

HM thanks CD for fertilisation references.

Comments on experiments of touching seeds with acid.

Reports a paper by H. von Kiesenwetter [Berliner Entomol. Z. 16 (1872): 370] on the Malthodes, some species of which appear to have a sex ratio with females greatly outnumbering males, suggesting the occurrence of parthenogenesis.

Has returned from Egypt because of trouble with his eyes.

Has read George Darwin’s article on consanguineous marriage.

Identifies three plants sent by CD.

Experiments on Mimosa.

Going to the Ashanti war as Times correspondent.