Movements of cotyledons of Oxalis.

Francis Darwin at Würzburg with Julius Sachs.

Has been observing the movements of leaves and cotyledons; sleep movements are exaggerated circumnutation. Reports some odd observations on movement in Oxalis species.

GJR may have CD’s MS chapter on instinct. It was abstracted for Origin, but CD probably will not prepare it for publication.

Thanks for bananas.

Will rejoice when Joseph Dalton Hooker is no longer burdened by his Royal Society duties.

Thanks for seeds and plants.

News of Francis and Horace Darwin.

Can send FD twisted branches of some climbing plants if he wishes.

Asks WTT-D to identify a leaf.

Thanks JET for his book.

Asks questions related to movement in plants. The cotyledons of Oxalis offer a promising field for study.

Wonders why Julius von Sachs thinks bloom is a protection against insects.

Encloses notes on the cotyledons of Oxalis species.

Congratulates JWJ on marriage.

Thanks for essay by Neumayr [see 11569].

Comments on paper by Edmund Mojsisovics ["Kleine Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Anneliden", Sitzungsber. K. Akad. Wiss. Wien Math.-naturwiss. Cl. 76 (1877) Abt. 1: 7–20].

CD’s health better than a few years ago.

Discusses methods of fertilising potatoes.

Will dispatch the best twisted stems he can find.

Considers the role of the pulvinus in leaf movement.

Regrets he cannot sign a memorial for correspondent’s father [Edward Truelove], which states an opinion on a life that is totally unknown to him. Feels that Edward Truelove’s sentence was very harsh [ET was imprisoned and fined for selling "obscene" publications advocating artificial control of conception] even though CD is strongly opposed to all the views expressed.

Comments on R. D. Owen’s Moral physiology [1831].

JDH may put CD’s name down for £200 for the proposed fund.

Does JDH have a plant of Porlieria hygrometrica he could lend to CD?

Will be glad to see OCM at Down. If he comes Friday, he will meet J. F. McLennan, author of Primitive marriage, a "remarkable man".

Suggests FD call on Carl Semper.

Inquires about Porlieria: Do the leaves shut to check evaporation? Does it appear silver under water?

Explains how he thinks the pulvinus acts; wishes FD would investigate the point.

Has no doubt WHD’s experiments on mutation of lower organisms under changed conditions of life will be curious and valuable. The fact of their becoming accustomed to much higher temperatures than those to which they are adapted is very remarkable. It explains the existence of algae in hot springs.

CD contributes £200 to JDH’s Royal Society fund.

Thanks RAB for kindness. Says W. H. Flower will examine wings [of geese].

Hopes Baillière will inform Cosserat how pleased he is with the new translation of Coral Reefs.