Wishes CD to present RLT’s paper on insectivorous plants to the Royal Society.

Sends an article for CD’s opinion.

Has finished an account of the globes for the Philosophical Magazine ["On maps of the world", 50 (1875): 431–44].

His poor health has interfered with his pitch experiments.

Sends CD his answers to W. D. Whitney’s articles. Sees man as separated from other animals by the possession of language. There is no scientific evidence for even the slightest attempt at language in the higher animals, which cannot, therefore, be reasonably regarded as "stunted man". [See "In self-defence", Chips from a German workshop 4 (1875): 473–549.]

JDH shares CD’s annoyance with R. L. Tait.

Has identified awned carpels for CD.

Sports of Paritium.

Suggests extending Francis’ experiments with glycerine on twisted seeds, to Mimosa.

PS concerning Imantophyllum.

Sent a copy of Orchis book to Gentry. Mentions Morley’s article on Diderot. Asks for another copy of the new edition of Descent.

Reports observations of T. C. Renshaw on how some flowers of the Tritoma catch bees and other insects. Thinks it may be a contrivance against unbidden visitors, as insects caught are not consumed.

Wants CD to contribute to a new magazine to promote theism.

Gives directions for growing plants he has sent and corrects CD’s taxonomy.

It has been empirically established at Kew that insular plants tend to be heteromorphic, plants with entire leaves tending to produce divided leaves.

Asks permission to make a résumé of Insectivorous plants for Société Botanique de Lyon.

Comments on Hermann Müller’s article on the structure of Gunnera flowers.

Thanks CD for consenting to present his paper.

Asks whether he may send two or three other tubes [of boiled infusions] to be placed in the open and observed for him.

Is glad CD is working on cross- and self-fertilisation; reports recent works of botanists, notably Thomas Meehan’s ["Are insects any material aid to plants in fertilisation?", Philadelphia Press 13 Aug 1875], in which the importance of cross-fertilisation is denied.

Has heard that 2d ed. of Variation is out. If CD will send it to him, he will complete the Italian translation in a short time.

His translation of Expression is nearly finished [published in 1878],

and the 2d ed. of Origin is almost entirely published.

About a Polish edition of Variation.

Has found a spiral fibre in Drosera rotundifolia leaves which resembles animal muscle but is probably a modified ordinary plant fibre.

Has sent a copy [of his article on cousin marriage] to Hermann Müller.

Problem he is now working on is a tough nut: "It does not do what [James Clerk] Maxwell said it wd or ought to do".

Report, from a reader of Expression, of a Negro boy’s monkey-like screams while having fractured femur adjusted without chloroform.