Has forwarded CD’s letter to Crookes.

Has attended one more séance, which he describes; tells of the freedom investigators have to check, although they cannot prearrange, experiments.

Again seeks help with his rabbits; hopes one of CD’s men can take them.

Delighted CD’s groom will take the rabbits;

has just done proof of a paper to the Royal Society on "blood-relationship", defining kinship between parents and offspring.

Thanks CD for criticisms of his paper; explains why there is greater diversity among succeeding generations than in the first.

Will do what he can for Lord Sackville Cecil, but he, himself, cannot get to séances when he likes. Introduction of a stranger always disturbs séances. Person most likely to help would be Lord Lindsey.

May FG have lunch with CD Thursday [1 Aug] and arrange about rabbits?

The buck is well; Dr Carter has returned, and things will go better.

Sends thanks for Expression; offers some additions, and will send printed queries abroad if CD wishes.

Agrees the rabbit experiment has gone on long enough, but would like one more litter.

Collecting information about antecedents of eminent men of science. Sends questionnaire.

Thanks CD for completed questionnaire;

answers his query about determining mean heights of men.

Is sending some seeds of sweetpeas, which George [Darwin] said CD would plant for him.

Agrees to write to William Ogle [about twins with crooked fingers].

Describes growth of sweetpeas for experiment.

Thanks FG for issues of Revue [Scientifique vol. 7, containing lectures by Claude Bernard].

Ogle says twins [with crooked fingers] are his sisters.

Recommends book by M. A. Puvis [De la dégénération des variétés de végétaux (1837)].

Has heard that FG will write on inheritance. Huxley does not believe in E. G. Balbiani’s views on subject.

In London yesterday for Vivisection Commission.

Is revising his chapter on Pangenesis [in Variation, 2d ed.] to allow that gemmules probably multiply in the reproductive organs.

Notes examples of inheritance of acquired characteristics cited by Brown-Séquard.

Doubts that double parentage is necessary for complex organisations.

Comments on FG’s paper ["A theory of heredity"]. Finds essay difficult to understand. Objects that FG’s theory conflicts with phenomenon of use and disuse. Conflicts also with rarity of bud-variations in nature.

Says he has ordered FG’s article ["The history of twins", Fraser’s Mag. 92 (1875): 566–76; revised in J. Anthropol. Inst. 5 (1876): 391–406].

Comments on FG’s paper ["The history of twins"].

CD is "in a passion with the Spectator who always muddles".

Mentions revisions [in Variation, 2d ed.].

Argues with FG’s theory of heredity, defending Pangenesis: "I cannot doubt that every unit of the hybrid is hybridised and sends forth hybridised gemmules."