Encloses a family document [another letter from F. S. Darwin to R. W. Darwin?].

Asks whether RD has ever heard a story about their grandfather and a highway robber.

CD’s sister-in-law, S. E. Wedgwood, is willing to refund £10 of the money paid for her land if the Ecclesiastical Commissioners will write saying she ought to do so, or if a qualified surveyor proves that the first measurement was wrong.

Sends a letter [missing] on the chance that GHD might give the writer information about tides.

Rejoices at GHD’s friendship with Sir W. Thomson and grand vein of research he has struck on.

First draft of life of Dr [Erasmus] D[arwin] is nearly finished.

Thanks FAG for "the curious case of inheritance" [see 12064].

Try to find and read [a German] account of the fir-trees affected by some fungus which produces upright shoots. CD wants to know whether the case is same as what he has observed in the silver fir. Includes diagram.

Wants FD to find out what sort of man Ernst Krause is.

Requesting a volume of the Philosophical Transactions said to contain two papers by Erasmus Darwin, also a third paper if it can be found.

Requesting parts or volume of the Philosophical Transactions due to him.

Intends to publish a translation of Ernst Krause’s essay on Dr Erasmus Darwin, with a prefatory notice by himself. Asks JM to decide whether to publish it on commission or on usual two-thirds profit terms. CD incapable of judging chance of its selling.

Thanks for FD’s letter describing microscopic work under experienced supervision.

Is glad to hear of C. E. Stahl’s objection to treating plants as mere machines.

Pleased that J. von Sachs has yielded on growth.

Perhaps Stahl will recognise whether the case of the silver fir is the same as that referred to in the German account [see 12074b].

CD has finished the first draft of his essay on Erasmus Darwin’s life and is "heartily sick of the job".

Does not feel competent to judge on matters of measurement. R. B. Litchfield to look into case.

Thanks for letter of 27 April (Julian calendar; 9 May Gregorian calendar), and promised gift of wheat varieties. Will probably send them to Alexander Stephen Wilson.

Believes that he will prove that the tip of radicle is the brain as far as geotropism is concerned.

Has been writing life of Erasmus Darwin.

Wants plants with heliotropic aerial roots. Has proved root apex governs nature of flexure in upper part of root.

Has read Dallas’ translation of first part of EK’s essay [on Erasmus Darwin]. Has sent his MS to printer. Is perplexed by duplication. Thinks EK’s essay is better than his. Wishes he had sent all his material to him for a single biography. Best plan may be for EK to incorporate whatever he thinks useful in CD’s material.

NvM’s questions cannot be answered fully. "Science has nothing to do with Christ, except in so far as the habit of scientific research makes a man cautious in admitting evidence. For myself, I do not believe that there has ever been any Revelation."

Unable to accept invitation.

Looked at leaves and saw no sign that animal matter was absorbed. Believes insects were caught only accidentally.

Suggests he write to Ernst Krause about publication of translation of Fritz Müller’s paper. FM’s view of mutual protection is quite new to CD.

Describes his experiments investigating the geotropic responses of radicles.

Caroline Darwin says mysterious visitor’s name was Brand. It was in time of Colonel Pole. Never visited Mrs Pole or Mrs Darwin [Elizabeth Collier], but sent respectful messages.

CD is glad to hear that EK plans a short historical discussion on evolution [in Erasmus Darwin],

but hopes he will not spend much powder and shot on Butler – his ephemeral work is not worth it. Sends a review [of Evolution, old and new].