F. P. Cobbe called on EAD to present a letter from the Secretary of the Anti-Vivisection Society; she hoped CD might support limiting repetitions of experiments.

CD has corrected the first proofs [of Erasmus Darwin] and so returns RD’s books. CD is disappointed with his work and fears RD will be also.

Asks that authoress be thanked for poem. Enjoyed poetry in old days; now cannot read a line.

Delighted that ERL will find time for original investigations.

Structure of some "very curious" tendrils.

Pressure paralyses the streaming of protoplasm in the hairs of Tradescantia.

Has received printed sheets from CD. Hopes CD does not intend to delete anything. EK comments on value of his own sketch for Erasmus Darwin.

Hopes CD can excuse article he wrote in response to a review of Grant Allen’s book [The colour-sense (1879)].

Points to CD’s favourable notice of his anthropological work;

details current financial difficulties and work efforts. Asks to borrow £5.

Has written to Col. J. L. Chester [genealogist] to ask whether he would like to see the deeds [for Darwin genealogy, see Emma Darwin 2: 237].

Is gratified if he has helped [with Erasmus Darwin].

Thanks for another consignment of family records.

Does not believe that deeds will throw light on the first William Darwin and his ancestors, but they will have much of interest for CD’s researches [for Erasmus Darwin].

Thanks CD for comments on Freie Wissenschaft und freie Lehre [1878].

Describes work on Medusae.

Describes work on Challenger Radiolaria and publication plans.

CD thinks nothing had better be done about the deeds at present.

Henrietta thinks Erasmus Darwin almost too dull to publish.

Relieved to hear that EK approves of his notice [preface for Erasmus Darwin]. Is reflecting on idea that it might appear after EK’s article as "an additional or supplementary notice".

Grieved to hear that Grant Allen has been accused of plagiarism.

Thanks for assistance. Nothing more should be done at present about the deeds. JLC’s letter sent to CD’s son [George].

Notes observations on sensitivity and movement of radicles.

Has finished chapter [of Movement in plants] on sleeping plants and is now looking over heliotropism notes.

Is perplexed by Erasmus Darwin; Erasmus [A. Darwin] likes it, but Henrietta thinks it much too long.

Will shorten or leave out many parts [of Erasmus Darwin] but cannot agree that it is not worth while to say something about the family.

Sorry to hear Henrietta’s opinion of the [Erasmus Darwin] proofs. GHD did not think it dull. He makes some suggestions.

Thanks AD for the handsome Annual Report of the Zoological Station (1878). Rejoices at its success and its great service to science.

Returns an "old book" [? Baeta, Comparative view of the theories and practice of Drs Cullen, Brown and Darwin (1800); see Erasmus Darwin, p. 107]. Glad to see that Dr Erasmus Darwin’s views on fever were attended to.

Fears his life of Dr Darwin will be a poor affair. "Never again will I be tempted out of my proper work."

Reports finding a wood pigeon’s nest on the ground, though woods are nearby.