WED encloses a letter from H. M. Wilkinson about Utricularia and sundew.

H. M. Wilkinson has examined bladders of Utricularia; doubts that they absorb or digest insects.

H. M. Wilkinson describes dragonfly trapped by sundew [Drosera].

Sends a draft of his letter to the editor of the Quarterly Review [137 (1874): 587–9], answering Mivart’s charges. Encloses draft of CD’s letter to John Murray, urging publication of GHD’s defence, with George’s amendments.

Entirely sympathises with CD about Mivart’s attack on George. THH has had a letter from Mivart in which he pleads guilty, but THH has decided there is no patching the matter up. Advises against doing anything unless Mivart takes initiative.

Encloses results of experiments on influence of snake poison on ciliary action and vegetable protoplasm.

Describes the wedding party given for herself and Richard Buckley Litchfield at the Working Men’s College in London.

Asks whether enclosure [missing] has the correct title of Insectivorous plants.

AD is aware of revolutionary character of his pamphlet [Ursprung der Wirbelthiere]. Authorities will not agree with him. Carl Gegenbaur and Ernst Haeckel are opposed. Younger biologists are disposed to accept his views. All he can expect is to put a stop to "the Amphioxus–Ascidian affair, and to open a road for speculation and for investigation on the side of the Annelid-homology".

Interested to hear about the peas.

Discusses feather as case of evolutionary atavism.

Will soon publish on siliceous sponges

and the skin of caterpillars.

Paralysis of the nervous system of Dionaea. Uses of tails of mice.

Returns corrected proofs [of Insectivorous plants].

Intends to set up a biological periodical called “Darwinia” to spread and popularise Darwin’s theories; hopes CD may contribute a few words to the opening issue.

Playfair "disgusted at our pronunciamentos against the Bill". Burdon Sanderson and William Sharpey agreed to it. THH feels he must serve on Vivisection Commission.

May publish a lecture on insectivorous plants and would like to dedicate it to CD.

Wishes to become an F.R.S.

Comments on Fritz Schultze, Kant und Darwin [1875].

Describes recent activities.

Comments on his book [Kant und Darwin: ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Entwicklungslehre (1875)].

Has separated out a pepsin-like substance from the secretion of Drosera, which he proposes to call "Droserin".

Intends sending a paper containing some of his histological work [see "Freezing process for section-cutting; … staining and mounting sections", J. Anat. & Physiol. 9 (1875): 249–58].

Is waiting impatiently for the appearance of CD’s book [Insectivorous plants].

Insectivorous plants: the means and site of absorption of digested animal matter. [Newspaper clipping enclosed.]