Encloses article on local immunity to tuberculosis. Has he interpreted CD’s views correctly? Believes the immunity notable in areas like Iceland or mountain areas is due to local conditions, not natural selection. Describes his sanatorium in mountains of Silesia and medical criticism of his work.

The Royal Society have not accepted R. L. Tait’s paper on insectivorous plants; it will be returned to CD, who submitted it.

Discusses geographic distribution of tuberculosis and possible explanations for disease-free areas and populations.

Does not think a local population with some distinct physiological character can properly be designated as a race. Thinks local conditions, not natural selection, responsible for such characters. Ernst Haeckel agrees. Asks CD’s opinion.

Observations on pollinia of Orchis maculata

and on Primula elatior. [On latter, see Forms of flowers, p. 34.]

Dimorphism and cleistogamy in Hottonia.

AG wants new, unambiguous term for what is now referred to as "dimorphism", "dioecio-dimorphism", or "heterostyly"; proposes "heterogone".

Sends an excerpt from Bulletin of Torrey Botanical Club 2 (June 1871) on Hottonia inflata.

He has examined Hoya flowers with Bentham and Oliver, but they are not satisfied about the five processes alternating with the sepals. [See Forms of flowers, pp. 331–2.] Sends specimens of plants.

Babington’s surprise at JDH’s advocacy of Darwinian views at Norwich [BAAS meeting].

Criticism of the behaviour of the trustees of the British Museum [in the Challenger affair].

Personal news – is unwell.

Mentions "Twin-papers" ["Short notes on heredity, etc., in twins", J. Anthropol. Inst. 5 (1876): 324–9] sent by Galton.

JDH has heard from Asa Gray, who approves of the botany primer [Botany (1876)].

A believer in evolution seeks to convince CD that a spiritual creative force, rather than natural selection, explains its operation.

At last, Expression is beginning to sell again.

Cooke has not yet decided on number of Variation [2d ed.] to print.

Provides CD with a method of obtaining a numerical ratio that expresses the superiority in heights of crossed plants to self-fertilised plants.

He has confuted Descent.

Enclosures announce his cures of potato blight, epilepsy, etc.

Has confirmed CD’s observations on Drosera.

Asks whether CD agrees that it is "no longer a fact" that the bladders of Utricularia vulgaris enable the plant to become lighter for fecundation and heavier when that act is accomplished. Plans to undertake further observations, under very high-powered microscopes, of mechanism of digestion.

Bug on Tilia, cited in Variation, was Cimex apterus.

Two photographs of T. W. Clarke, Jr, aged three, offered as examples of expression.

Sends copy of Arabische Korallen [1876].

Comments on reception of his paper on "Gastrula" [see 10012].

Reports on the tendency of the normally fruitless Convolvulus arvensis, to form fruit when roots are cut and plant is in danger of dying.

Reports an observation on his child’s behaviour;

claims to have captured two moths of different species in the act of copulating with each other.

Proposes an unorthodox theory of generation that explains sex determination and atavism.

Are plants that arise from vegetative propagation individuals or merely parts of the original parent plant?