Returned from visit.

Thinks several species of Eucalyptus would be worth experimenting on. Sends list.Mimosa albida would be worth its weight in diamonds. Neptunia worth more than diamonds.

Sorry to hear of GHD’s poor health – he could have pleasant society at Cambridge if he were stronger.

Contributes £75 [to a fund for Naples Zoological Station] "if the affair goes on after we hear from Dohrn".

Would be happy if ARW would undertake to help with correcting the proof-sheets of his revised edition of Descent. Outlines the job that would be required.

Has had a week’s cessation of Nepenthes work.

Had to get out a paper for the Linnean Society on Thursday.

Has tried Mimosa albida in hothouse and found it wonderfully sensitive.

A military report from India praises his travel book.

Discussion of his possible assistance on editorial work for revised edition of Descent.

CD’s son [George] could do the work [of proof-correction for Descent, 2d ed.] if ARW finds he does not care for it.

Discusses human reactions to pleasant and unpleasant tastes; considers that modifications of these reactions produce several identifiable expressions of general like and dislike.

Thinks CD’s son George would be more satisfactory than ARW for the work on Descent.

CD is looking for editorial assistance in preparing a new edition of Descent, and inquires whether GHD might be interested in taking on such a tedious job.

Describes a seance attended by George Darwin and Myers.

Has been working hard on Mimosa albida. Could JDH ever make its opposite leaflets shut up close, as in sleep, when he irritated them? CD doubts they do, except in sleep. Thinks movement a protection against water.

Has examined only one specimen of Eucalyptus.

Cannot believe JDH’s results from cutting a hole in pitcher in his Nepenthes experiment.

Pleased that GHD will help with second edition of Descent. Cautions him not to alter strength of CD’s expression or improve the style too much.

He has noticed that Mimosa albida leaves closed only partially. It can be objected to CD’s theory that, if true, all, or at least more, species would close their leaves on application of water, unless he can show special injury done to M. albida by water.

Thanks CD for promised observations on his book against evolution [La théorie Darwinienne et la création dite indépendante (1874)].

Arrangements for meeting in London.

Glad CD has heard about Dohrn’s affairs.

THH sends to AD a draft, prepared by himself and CD, of a statement for a subscription fund to assist AD’s Naples Zoological Station.