Accepts CD’s offer to publish his letter, confirming Francis Darwin’s observations [see Collected papers 2: 205–7].

H. Hoffmann’s observations on Amanita contractile filaments must be repeated.

Microscopic examination of secretory gland filaments in Dipsacus leafcups. FD’s pseudopod theory of Dipsacus.

Thanks for plants.

Thanks R. I. Lynch for information about "bloom" on leaves.

WTT-D should not write to Mr Smith about plants near seashore.

Believes in differentiated nerve-tracts [in Medusa] because of experiment in which contractile waves blocked. [See GJR’s "Evolution of nerves", Nature 16 (1877): 231–3, 269–71, 289–93.] Did not know author of MS was Miss Lawless. Describes experiment on contractile waves in Aurelia. Also studying starfish.

Encloses specimens of milk-weed with trapped insects. Indian hemp catches insects in the same way but with less success.

Thanks for CD’s comments on ["Evolution of nerves"]. Admits that he may have "been too keen in my scent after nerves".

Notes effect of reversing direction of current in muscular tissue.

Thanks for Francis Darwin’s Dipsacus paper.

Dislikes the word "protoplasm", because improved microscopes will uncover more fundamental substances. Also "plasma" merely hides the ignorance of modern chemists.

Expects waxy, glaucous-leaved plants to be most frequent in dry temperate climates.

CD forwards letter from F. J. Cohn [11093] that provides confirmation of observations by Francis Darwin on the contractile filaments protruded from the glands of Dipsacus.

Thanks for letter about Pontederia.

Thanks for Forms of flowers.

Suggests plant hairs protect them from insects either mechanically or by stinging.

Asks about sleep movements of Erythrina crista-galli. Comments on movements of Averrhoa.

CD’s curious observations on Trifolium resupinatum.

Describes a Maranta remarkable for its leaf asymmetry: its leaves are elliptical on one side and oblong on the other.

Counted 40 worm-holes after rain; four or five in the wall.

Thanks GC for his new work [La teoria dell’evoluzione esposta (1877)]. CD regrets he cannot read Italian.

CD is delighted with report from THF about activity of worms in Roman-British ruins at Abinger.

Sends a published diary [Das Kind, 2d ed. (1876)] in which he recorded the early growth of his first child. Hopes it may find an English translator.

Observations on movements of leaves of Erythrina crista-galli in green-house and out of doors.

Thanks for Forms of flowers.

Insects that infest and are parasitic upon the fig fruit.

Asks for a loan.

Response to Wallace’s article ["The colours of animals and plants", Macmillan’s Mag. (Sept 1877)] on sexual colours and "voluntary" sexual selection.

Discusses plants to be sent to Kew.

Thanks for letter about Trifolium

and for R. I. Lynch’s observations on sleep of Erythrina.

Mentions letter from F. J. Cohn, dealing with discovery by Francis Darwin, that CD has had printed in Nature ["The contractile filaments of the teasel", Nature 16 (1877): 339; Collected papers 2: 205–7].