Comments on JHF’s book [Souvenirs entomologiques (1879)].
Discusses story told by Erasmus Darwin about a wasp cutting off wings of fly.
Sorry JHF is opposed to descent theory.
Suggests experiment concerning insects’ sense of direction.
Comments on JHF’s book [Souvenirs entomologiques (1879)].
Discusses story told by Erasmus Darwin about a wasp cutting off wings of fly.
Sorry JHF is opposed to descent theory.
Suggests experiment concerning insects’ sense of direction.
Sends the Litchfields two drafts of a letter in reply to Samuel Butler’s letter to the Athenæum; hopes for their approval.
Can well understand WN’s new life. WN’s departure a heavy loss.
Asks THH to advise him about a response to Samuel Butler’s attack accusing CD of dishonesty. Quotes the advice of others but will do what THH advises.
Thanks RBL for advice [concerning dispute with Samuel Butler]. Notes reaction of family.
Says it is not likely he will be able to criticise GJR’s work.
Recommends Jean-Henri Fabre, Souvenirs entomologiques [1879].
Encloses letters from J. F. Moulton [12350 and 12356].
Greatly relieved by THH’s letter [advising against a reply to Samuel Butler].
Samuel Butler’s fierce attack on CD and EK in Athenæum. CD’s sentence saying that EK had altered his Kosmos article was accidentally omitted from second proofs. Butler insinuates that EK’s attack on his book was suggested by CD or interpolated by him in EK’s text.
Comments on colours of races of man. Wishes WZS "or anybody else" could account for them.
On GJR’s work on mental evolution in animals. Emphasises "love" among animals.
Comments on stimulation of plants.
On pleasure and pain.
CD is pleased that EK will answer Butler. Thinks Butler is half insane.
CD advises EK on his proposed letter answering Butler.
Considering the favourable reviews, sale of Erasmus Darwin has been poor.
Enjoyed HM’s castigation of Gaston Bonnier ["Gaston Bonniers angebliche Widerlegung der modernen Blumentheorie", Kosmos 7 (1880): 219–36].
Thanks for his very kind letter.
CD thanks RLT for his two notes, a newspaper article, and a copy of RLT’s address honouring him.
Thanks EK for kind letter.
CD’s date on epitaph is a dreadful mistake. CD often overlooks errata.
Thanks society of students at Jena for birthday congratulations.
Thanks for articles by ASW in Gardeners’ Chronicle [see 12404]. Agrees with him.
Asks about growth of rootlets from knobs caused by fungus on roots of Cruciferae.
Torbitt too poor to go on with [potato] experiments. If anything is to be done it must be by Government.
Would be glad to see RLT at Down if he thinks it fit to come there to deliver the address honouring CD.