Discusses corrections and illustrations [for Volcanic islands and parts of South America, 2d ed. (1876)].

Sends his autograph.

Asks her to send seeds from a flower in the garden at Hopedene, and the name of a dwarf crimson Oxalis.

Expresses appreciation of the house, which the Darwins have borrowed.

Thanks for letter of 21st.

When the curious Salvia arrives, CD will have it carefully planted. Interested in seeing its flowers.

Caroline [Wedgwood] has been ill for the last 20 months.

James Paget to be consulted about William Darwin’s brain concussion.

Thanks for a letter describing variation in chickens.

Encloses essay by Haeckel criticising Pangenesis [Die Perigenesis der Plastidule (1876)]. Discusses Haeckel’s theory of inheritance.

Asks about the Physiological Society.

Discusses FD’s observations on the protrusion of protoplasmic masses by cells of the teasel. Suggests analogy with amoeba. "I would work at this subject if I were you, to the point of death."

Describes discovery by his son [Francis Darwin] of protoplasmic filaments extending from small glands in the leaves of Dipsacus [see Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 26 (1877): 4–8].

Regrets he cannot hear lecture by F. C. Donders.

Hopes to see WB before he returns home.

Thanks MT for her article ["Is the valve of Utricularia sensitive?", Harper’s New Mon. Mag. 52 (1875): 382–7]. Does not understand why he failed to detect movement [in Utricularia], but it appears from her observations that the valve is sensitive.

‘Your mother ought indeed to feel proud that she had two sons such true naturalists as you and your brother [John Jenner Weir].’

Comments on FD’s discovery – "if it so proves". It will be important to see whether the protoplasm oozes through the cell-walls [of Dipsacus] or whether it can be withdrawn.

Looks to FD’s "grand discovery" as almost certain. Suggests observations.

Thanks for essay [Philosophische Consequenzen der Lamarck–Darwin’schen Entwicklungstheorie (1876)].

Further comments on GHD’s work on the influence of geological changes on the earth’s axis.

Frank [Francis Darwin] has made a fine zoological discovery.

Joseph Fayrer can supply cobra poison.

Discusses vivisection.

Mentions visit to the John Hawkshaws.

Is determined not to believe in GHD’s astronomical work until J. C. Adams accepts it, for he would be so disappointed if it breaks down.

Response to ARW’s "grand and memorable work" [Geographical distribution (1876)]. Most interesting part to CD is ARW’s "protest against sinking imaginary continents".

CD has quite given up the marine theory [of Glen Roy] and has accepted glacier lakes. "Nothing makes me gnash my teeth so much as that confounded paper of mine." It is a lesson "never in science to infer one explanation is right because no other one seems possible".