Further discussion of the process of aggregation in response to [10137].

Since the new edition of Variation will be stereotyped, Murray’s will always have means to provide plates if they are wanted in America.

Explains their way of sending proofs for authors who want wide margins for corrections.

Thinks it better to keep Climbing plants for the annual trade sale.

Reports a hybrid ram and sow, the cuino of Mexico, which is very common and fertile.

RLT speculates on the "moral nature" of parental protection shown by humans and traces it back to its first occurrence in the animal world.

Proofs have come. It will be jolly coming down to Southampton.

CD gives a few instances of various animals (starfish, earwigs, spiders) that take charge of their young.

Thanks for Thomas Belt’s Naturalist in Nicaragua [1874], which confirms some of his observations,

and for Insectivorous plants, which he praises.

Suggests that a book integrating knowledge of plant–animal interactions be written by a Darwinist.

Defines biology as the science of external interactions.

German reception is far more positive than Italian.

Has read CD’s book on Drosera [Insectivorous plants] and found that it presents new material and is very interesting.

Has discovered that the parasites he thought he had found in Melipona nests are in fact true females. It is remarkable that they differ so greatly from the sterile females and males of their species.

Sends comments and suggestions for Huth’s experiment on crossbreeding rabbits.

Thanks CD for telling her "such exact truth". She saw Thomas Carlyle at Keston – the country air has done him good – "he is half sorry to have been so unsociable on his first arrival".

Examples of pupillary dilation.

Requesting two books, Lafitau 1724 and Tanner 1830.

Thanks SN for his explanation of vines.

Discusses SN’s observation on roots secreting carbonic acid.

Informs CD of Chauncey Wright’s death.

On fertilisation in certain orchids.

Writing article for a German newspaper on CD’s life. Requests autobiographical information.

Thinks CD’s case of twins with crooked fingers may be one from his twin study.

Agrees to write to William Ogle [about twins with crooked fingers].

Describes growth of sweetpeas for experiment.

Asks whether the twins WO reported to CD [see 5470] were named Macrae. F. Galton has told him of a similar case with twins so named who inherited crooked little fingers from the maternal side [see Variation, 2d ed., 2: 240]. [The twins referred to by WO were actually his sisters, see 10170.]

Reports the death of Chauncey Wright: "a great blow … to the interests of sound thought and scientific inquiry throughout the country".