Sends CD his answers to W. D. Whitney’s articles. Sees man as separated from other animals by the possession of language. There is no scientific evidence for even the slightest attempt at language in the higher animals, which cannot, therefore, be reasonably regarded as "stunted man". [See "In self-defence", Chips from a German workshop 4 (1875): 473–549.]

Comments on difficulty of distinguishing between lower animal and vegetable organisms.

Pleased by W. Stanley Jevons’ letter.

Has ordered Dr Cohn’s book.

Is sure that GHD’s energy will lead to success with work on viscous fluids.

JDH shares CD’s annoyance with R. L. Tait.

Has identified awned carpels for CD.

Sports of Paritium.

Suggests extending Francis’ experiments with glycerine on twisted seeds, to Mimosa.

Has decided to send R. L. Tait’s paper to the Royal Society.

Will try glycerine on Mimosa but doubts it will have an effect.

Thanks FMM for his essay [see 10194]. Though some of FMM’s remarks are "stinging", they have all been made "gracefully".

PS concerning Imantophyllum.

Sent a copy of Orchis book to Gentry. Mentions Morley’s article on Diderot. Asks for another copy of the new edition of Descent.

Reports observations of T. C. Renshaw on how some flowers of the Tritoma catch bees and other insects. Thinks it may be a contrivance against unbidden visitors, as insects caught are not consumed.

Wants CD to contribute to a new magazine to promote theism.

Gives directions for growing plants he has sent and corrects CD’s taxonomy.

It has been empirically established at Kew that insular plants tend to be heteromorphic, plants with entire leaves tending to produce divided leaves.

Describes observations by his son Horace on the extreme sensitivity of twisted seeds to moisture.

Sends a copy of Climbing plants [2d ed.]. Price cannot be higher than 6s.

Variation [2d ed.] price will be 18s, if CD approves. Future reprints will not be costly, since both have been stereotyped.

Comments on Hermann Müller’s article on the structure of Gunnera flowers.

Thanks CD for consenting to present his paper.

Asks whether he may send two or three other tubes [of boiled infusions] to be placed in the open and observed for him.

Is glad CD is working on cross- and self-fertilisation; reports recent works of botanists, notably Thomas Meehan’s ["Are insects any material aid to plants in fertilisation?", Philadelphia Press 13 Aug 1875], in which the importance of cross-fertilisation is denied.

Has heard that 2d ed. of Variation is out. If CD will send it to him, he will complete the Italian translation in a short time.

His translation of Expression is nearly finished [published in 1878],

and the 2d ed. of Origin is almost entirely published.

About a Polish edition of Variation.