MS of Movement in plants in final stage. Fears it will displease many German physiologists. It is an attempt to bring all the diversified movements of plants under one general law or system.

Sends sheets of Movement in plants for translation, if JVC sees fit. It has some value and novelty, CD believes, but is very dull.

Will be happy to translate CD’s new book [Movement in plants]. Asks how large the book will be.

CD is ashamed of length of Movement in plants – with index, nearly 600 pages. JVC will be awfully sick of ch. 1.

In intervals of correcting proofs, he is writing on the formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms. It will be a curious little book [Earthworms].

Some sheets [of Movement in plants] are missing. Is delighted with its "lesson of methods of observation patience and thought".

Very pleased by JVC’s note about Movement in plants. Feared he would find it intolerably dull. Some missing sheets are being replaced. Also sends a perfect copy.

Thanks JVC for corrections of Movement in plants. Sends a clarifying sentence.

Earthworms nearly done – "a small book of little moment".

Reports his health is better than it was, "but I have little strength & feel very old".

Ernst Krause wishes to publish a section of Earthworms in Kosmos. CD has consented. Hopes JVC will not object. He feels under obligation to Krause.

Discusses Ernst Krause’s publication of an extract from Earthworms translated into German in the journal Kosmos.

Koch [of Schweizerbart, publisher of CD’s works in Germany and also publisher of Kosmos] has asked JVC to translate Earthworms and send one chapter of it to Kosmos for advance separate publication. He thinks a chapter on the practical work of the earthworms would be most interesting to the general reader.

CD will soon finish corrections [of Earthworms] for printer, and then clean sheets will be sent to JVC for translation of the book and to Ernst Krause. The subject has been a "hobby-horse" with CD, and he has perhaps treated it in foolish detail. Has told Krause he does not think any part of the MS suitable for Kosmos, but Krause must decide.

Delay in publication [of Earthworms] vexes CD, as he likes to throw a subject off his mind.

Sends corrections ("two bad errata & a blunder") in Earthworms, which is selling well in England.

Sends some additions and corrections he has made in the 5th thousand, [of Earthworms] now being printed.

Lists errata in Earthworms, which he is translating.

Thanks JVC for his corrections of "stupid errata" [in Earthworms]. Explains, in answer to JVC’s query, that he has used the word "humus" as the equivalent of vegetable mould.

JVC has been asked by Schweizerbart [CD’s German publisher] to revise H. G. Bronn’s translation of Origin, and he will be pleased to try to do it.

Asks CD’s advice on what to do about Bronn’s notes and concluding chapter, with which JVC disagrees. Would CD agree to omission?

Expresses gratification that JVC is to undertake new translation and revision of German edition of the Origin.

Has heard many complaints about Bronn’s translation. JVC would be justified in omitting Bronn’s appendix.

Suggests additions and changes, including reference to C. W. v. Nägeli’s Entstehung und Begriff [1865], though he disagrees with it.

JVC proposes to correct Bronn’s mistakes [in his translation of Origin], but will not add his own notes.

Asks CD to write a note on Nägeli’s pamphlet [Entstehung und Begriff] for the revised edition.

Also requests biographical information for an encyclopedia article he has been asked to write.

Answers some question about species.

Sends biographical sketch.

Now considers that a note on Nägeli would have to be too long to include. Discusses his differences with Nägeli. Cannot believe in spontaneous generation. At present the principle of life seems to him beyond the confines of science.