Thanks ASW for Aegilops seed.

Forwards letter from James Caird concerning funds for potato experiments. CD will correct his letter to THF [11389] and then forward it to Hooker for his opinion.

Thanks for essays by ASW ["Experiments with turnip seeds", Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh 13 (1876–9): 25–39, and a short notice, "Experiments in singling turnips"] and Aegilops seed.

Problems of continuing with his crossing experiments; financial help from CD.

As a believer in the existence of God from the evidence of nature, he is somewhat staggered by CD’s and Tyndall’s books. Asks CD to tell him whether the doctrine of descent of man destroys the evidence of the existence of a God looked at through natural phenomena.

Asks CD to explain why there are hermaphrodites.

Believes letter from CD endorsed by JDH will virtually guarantee Government or private support for Torbitt’s experiments. Queries experimental procedure.

Caird agrees that there will be no difficulty in getting finances.

Intends to translate Origin and Descent into Bohemian to be published at Prague; asks CD’s permission to do so.

Has returned letter to Caird and dispatched corrected letter to Hooker [11406] [concerning potato experiments].

T. H. Farrer and James Caird think it would be less trouble to get subscription from rich agriculturists than from Government. CD thinks it utopian to hope to raise variety of potatoes from seed; must be propagated from tubers.

Reports on the standing of James Torbitt: "the opinion of the Public is that he is rich and highly respectable".

Has written to Farrer in support of Torbitt’s grant.

Resistance of Liberian coffee to "fly" and susceptibility to fungus.

Will publish Origin first

and then Descent.

AS is looking for a job in a zoological museum or accompanying an expedition.

Sends MS of his paper, "On the coloration of flowers and fruits", filling a gap in CD’s theory relating to these structures, and asks for CD’s comments.

Plans a book on colour sense.

Hooker approves of Torbitt’s plan [concerning potato experiments]. Torbitt, wine and spirit merchant in Belfast, highly respectable.

Thanks CD for specimens of, and curious facts on, the "harvesting ant".

On germination of wheat.

Can supply Drosera if CD wants some.

Talk of a subscription to help JT’s experiments. Progress of experiment; loss of fungus-resistance in varieties as they age.

CD gives his opinion on how the physiological laboratory at Kew should be equipped. It would be a pity if the laboratory were not supplied with as many good instruments as their funds could provide.