He is surveying the literature on the struggle for existence among pasture plants. Asks CD for the "many cases on record" of changed relations among plants under slightly changed conditions alluded to in the Origin. [See M. T. Masters, J. B. Lawes and J. M. Gilbert "Agricultural, botanical, and chemical results of experiments on the mixed herbage of permanent meadow, conducted for more than twenty years in succession on the same land (pt 2, The botanical results)", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 173 (1883): 1181–413.]

Purchases cigarettes for CD.

In response to CD’s query, answers that he has frequently heard discussions at the Horticultural Society of a saccharine secretion from leaves of the lime and has no doubt it really does occur. [See Cross and self-fertilisation, p. 402.]

Asks CD to come up to vote for Lankester.

Severely critical of R. L. Tait’s paper on Nepenthes communicated to the Royal Society.

Thanks CD for comments on Arabische Korallen [1876].

Comments on Monoenia darwinii [?] as a primitive sponge.

Discusses criticisms of CD’s theory by K. E. von Baer ["Über Darwin’s Lehre", in Reden 2 (1876): 235–480].

Tells CD of his engagement to Louisa, eldest daughter of Lord Claud Hamilton.

His investigations [into spontaneous generation] continue. He will deal with Bastian’s work [The modes of origin of lowest organisms (1871)].

The medical journals see that the end of the nonsense they have so long countenanced is nigh.

Thanks CD for letter complimenting her book. Responds to his comments on botany and geology in book.

Inquires whether insectivorous habit in plants supplements or replaces the normal method of plant nutrition.

Sends packets of seeds of peas of different sizes [i.e., weights] for CD’s experiments; identifies size of the seeds that produced them. FG is experimenting "in the same direction" and is curious how his results will compare with CD’s.

Observations on hive- and humble-bees. Perforating habits differ in different individuals of the same species.

Sends set of illustrations for Expression marked to show those that could be improved for a future edition.

Encloses statement of sales of Origin, Expression, Descent, and Insectivorous plants to 1 Feb 1876.

Has charged against CD’s account half the cost of old plates from Judd for Variation. When will plates for new edition be sent?

Insectivorous plants not selling well because of general depression in business.

Murray wishes to settle payments for Descent [2d ed., 11th thousand]. Over 500 copies of the 1000 printed have been sold.

RLT to review 2d ed. of Variation and write an article on Pangenesis.

Discussion of "Survival of the Fittest".

Sends cheque for Descent [2d ed., 1875 issue].

Has sent corrections to printer for Climbing plants

and Origin. Has ordered to print: 1250 copies of Origin,

500 of Climbing plants,

and 1000 of Naturalist’s voyage [Journal of researches].

Is putting together a natural history book for intelligent children [The puzzle of life (1877)]; would like CD’s opinion on the project in general and on the completed first chapter in particular.

Regrowth of an amputated extra thumb.

Encloses cheque for balance listed on accompanying statement of sales [see 10401].

Stereo plates for new edition of Variation have been sent to New York.

Recounts family trait of excessive orderliness

and the behaviour of his dog.

Insectivorous plants is out

and Climbing plants is at the printer’s.

He is now at work on the geological writings.

Thinks all of CD’s papers extremely interesting "for the spirit and the method".

Cites some misprints in Climbing plants.