Thanks WTT-D for his present of Sachs’s book [Textbook of botany (1875)].

Agrees that CD should write to Lord Derby to say that a bill on animal experimentation was being prepared and that the government should not comment at this stage. [See 9933.] Ridicules the idea of using inspectors. Distinguishes between dissection and vivisection.

Thanks EFWP for sending him his treatise.

Approves vivisection memorial.

Lyon Playfair supports his request for Kew assistant.

Asks whether CD has botanical suggestions for Arctic expedition.

CD has helped leading physiologists to prepare a draft bill for legislation with regard to vivisection, and he hopes Lord Derby will support the bill and mention it to ministers of the Cabinet. Has heard that other groups are preparing bills for the same purpose, and feels it important that the science of physiology be protected as well as animals.

Has written to Lord Derby about the vivisection issue and urged him to speak to the proper members of the Cabinet to prevent "hasty legislation versus science". CD offered to send the sketch of the bill that has been drafted or a small deputation to wait on any member of the Cabinet. Lubbock does not think the petition should be presented as he feels sure that nothing will be done this session.

Approves draft of vivisection bill. Huxley strongly in favour of a bill.

Knows of the pitchers of one species of Dischidia.

On pitchers of Dischidia and insects found in them.

Sends concluding part of his Zoologie [see 8531].

Enjoys translating Journal of researches. Questions several passages.

He is honoured by CD’s selection of him as the medium of communication with Government. The matter [Vivisection Bill] now lies with the Home Secretary.

Looking forward to publication of Insectivorous plants, which he will review.

Paul Mantegazza has criticised FD on insectivorous plants

and CD on sexual selection; FD maintains dichogamy in plants supports sexual selection.

Encloses a copy of Lord Derby's note of 17 April 1875 (DCP-LETT-9938).

Sir John Lubbock has agreed to meet CD, but no arrangement has been made.

Maybe they should drop the petition, since Lord Derby has agreed to help.

Pleased JVC likes Journal of researches. Responds to his queries and thanks him for conscientiousness as a translator.

Insectivorous plants is so large that Murray will publish Climbing plants as a separate little book. Hopes Insectivorous plants is worth translating.

Staying with the [Ore H.] Sandwiths during his convalescence.

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].

Encloses letter from Thomas Henry Huxley (DCP-LETT-9942); CD thinks copies of their bill should be sent to Lyon Playfair and Edward Cardwell.

Richard Buckley Litchfield reports the intentions of the Humanitarians.

Thanks for letter of 15th and book. Recollects many sights of Tierra del Fuego described by CD.

V. O. Kovalevsky has paid for the Expression plates.

Still has 400 copies of Chauncey Wright’s pamphlet

and 450 of Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin.

Returns papers [unidentified].

One on inheritance destitute of meaning. How can "force" act without any material on which to act? Discussion must assume truth of some such theory as Pangenesis.

Further discussion about the act regulating animal experimentation; believes the licensing of places to be impracticable.