Sends CD some cobra poison for his experiments.

Encloses a report on current status of the appeal for Naples Zoological Station.

Shark embryology.

Asks for living plant of Utricularia and information on Pinguicula lusitanica. Gives notes on habitats.

The lack of a hereditary effect of circumcision among Jews argues against CD’s views.

Writes of his article in Nature. Corrects some errors that have appeared in the published version.

Sends cartilage from cat’s ear, the elastic fibres of which will probably resist digestion [by Drosera]. Is preparing fibro-cartilage, which he expects will be digested easily. [See Insectivorous plants, p. 104.]

Cites instances of invariable correlations of colour he has observed in cats, dogs, and sheep. [See Variation, 2d ed., 2: 316.]

Thanks for fibrin. Drosera and Pinguicula dissolve it thoroughly.

Passes on his father’s answer to CD’s query about Hawaiian infanticide.

Will try to get certain insectivorous plants for CD, especially Utricularia. Is glad to hear he has taken up Drosera.

Has found Pinguicula excited by bits of leaves; appears to digest leaves and seeds. Plant not only insectivorous but graminivorous. Asks WTT-D to identify seeds.

Sends a description of Drosera dichotoma and its manner of fly-catching [see Insectivorous plants, p. 282].

Returns proof of his note on brain for 2d ed. of Descent. Has added a reference to Abbé Lecomte’s "terrible pamphlet" [Le Darwinisme et l’origine de l’homme (1873)] "lest it be thought I meant our cher Owen".

Remarks on his work on Pinguicula. Notes its digestive power; it absorbs nutritious matter from leaves and seeds as well as insects.

Received CD’s note late and so could not comply, but promises to vote in future for anyone CD recommends for Athenaeum.

Will have new evidence on dog’s intelligence sent to CD.

Sends observations of poison acting on glands of Drosera. Poison acts as a stimulant to protoplasm. Very remarkable that poison acts so differently on the cilia and protoplasm of Drosera.

Reports on his examination of the dried specimens of Pinguicula at Kew to answer CD’s query whether all species secrete.

Action of cobra poison.

Wants particularly to know whether seeds or leaves of other plants are ever found adhering to the leaves of Pinguicula. Observations would perhaps best be made in a month or two.

Thanks for letter and seeds.

Asks that Hooker return references about plants eating insects.

Discusses Pinguicula.